"Which I am to afford?"

"Verily."

"As clown or grindstone?--to make laugh, or sharpen your wits upon?"

"Far be it from me to dictate. Whichever suits our character best. On
the whole, I think the last would be the most appropriate; the first I
can swear wouldn't!"

"_Pourquoi_?"

"O, a woman's reason,--because!"

"Because why? Am I cross?"

"Not exactly."

"Rough?"

"As usual,--like a May breeze."

"Cynical?"

"As Epicurus."

"Irritable?"

"'A countenance [and manner] more in sorrow than in anger.' Something's