Dramatic masterpieces are not tossed off lightly from the nib of the pen; and doubtless Sheridan worked harder at his plays than he chose to have the public know and was not really one of that “mob of gentlemen who write with ease” at whom Pope sneers. Byron and many others testify to the coruscating wit of his conversation; and it is well-known that he did not waste his good things, but put them down in his notebooks and worked them up to a high polish in the dialogue of his plays. It is noticeable how thriftily he leads up to his jokes, laying little traps for his speakers to fall into. Thus in “The Rivals,” where Faulkland is complaining to Captain Absolute about Julia’s heartless high spirits in her lover’s absence, he appeals to his friend to mark the contrast: “Why Jack, have _I_ been the joy and spirit of the company?” “No, indeed, you have not,” acknowledges the Captain. “Have _I_ been lively and entertaining?” asks Faulkland. “O, upon my word, I acquit you,” answers his friend. “Have _I_ been full of wit and humor?” pursues the jealous lover. “No, faith, to do you justice,” says Absolute, “you have been confoundedly stupid.” The Captain could hardly have missed this rejoinder; it was fairly put into his mouth by the wily dramatist. Again observe how carefully the way is prepared for the repartee in the following bit of dialogue from “The School for Scandal”: Sir Peter Teazle has married a country girl and brought her up to London, where she shows an unexpected zest for the pleasures of the town. He is remonstrating with her about her extravagance and fashionable ways. Sir Peter: “Madam, I pray had you any of these elegant expenses when you married me?” Lady Teazle: “Lud, Sir Peter, would you have me be out of the fashion?” Sir Peter: “The fashion indeed! What had you to do with the fashion before you married me?” Lady Teazle: “For my part—I should think you would like to have your wife thought a woman of taste.” Sir Peter: “Aye, there again—Taste! Zounds, Madam, you had no taste when you married me.”