"No, honestly. They flatter, and at the same time they make fun of the flattery a little; they make a person feel that you like them, even while you laugh at them." "They appear to be rather an intricate kind of compliment--sort of _salsa agradolce_ affair--tutti frutti style--species of moral mayonnaise." "No--be quiet! You know what I mean. What were we talking about? Oh! I was going to say that the most fascinating thing about you always was that ironical way of yours." "Have I an ironical way? You were going to tell me something more about the fancy ball." "I don't care for it. I would rather talk about you." "And I prefer the ball. It's a fresher topic--to me." "Very well, then. But this I will say. No matter how happy you should be, I should always want you to keep that tone of persiflage. You've no idea how perfectly intoxicating it is." "Oh yes, I have. It seems to have turned the loveliest and wisest head in the world." "Oh, do you really think so? I would give anything if you did." "What?" "Think I was pretty," she pleaded, with full eyes. "Do you?" "No, but I think you are wise. Fifty per cent, of truth--it's a large average in compliments. What are you going to wear?" "Wear? Oh! At the ball! Something Egyptian, I suppose. It's to be an Egyptian ball. Didn't you understand that?" "Oh yes. But I supposed you could go in any sort of dress." "You can't. You must go in some Egyptian character." "How would Moses do? In the bulrushes, you know. You could be Pharaoh's daughter, and recognise me by my three hats. And toward the end of the evening, when I became very much bored, I could go round killing Egyptians." "No, no. Be serious. Though I like you to joke, too. I shall always want you to joke. Shall you, always?" "There may be emergencies when I shall fail--like family prayers, and grace before meat, and dangerous sickness." "Why, of course. But I mean when we're together, and there's no reason why you shouldn't?" "Oh, at such times I shall certainly joke." "And before people, too! I won't have them saying that it's sobered you--that you used to be very gay, and now you're cross, and never say anything." "I will try to keep it up sufficiently to meet the public demand." "And I shall want you to joke me, too. You must satirise me. It does more to show me my faults than anything else, and it will show other people how perfectly submissive I am, and how I think everything you do is just right." "If I were to beat you a little in company, don't you think it would serve the same purpose?" "No, no; be serious." "About joking?" "No, about me. I know that I'm very intense, and you must try to correct that tendency in me." "I will, with pleasure. Which of my tendencies are you going to correct?" "You have none." "Well, then, neither have you. I'm not going to be outdone in civilities." "Oh, if people could only hear you talk in this light way, and then know what _I_ know!"