"I pray you," said Hircan, "tell me what words you know of so foul as to
sicken both the heart and soul of a virtuous woman."

"It would indeed be seemly," replied Oisille, "that I should tell you
words which I counsel no woman to utter."

"By that," said Saffredent, "I quite understand what those terms are.
They are such as women desirous of being held discreet do not commonly
employ. But I would ask all the ladies present why, when they dare not
utter them, they are so ready to laugh at them when they are used in
their presence."

Then said Parlamente--

"We do not laugh because we hear such pretty expressions, though it
is indeed true that every one is disposed to laugh on seeing anybody
stumble or on hearing any one utter an unfitting word, as often happens.
The tongue will trip and cause one word to be used for another, even
by the discreetest and most excellent speakers. But when you men talk
viciously, not from ignorance, but by reason of your own wickedness,
I know of no virtuous woman who does not feel a loathing for such
speakers, and who would not merely refuse to hearken to them, but even
to remain in their company."

"That is very true," responded Geburon. "I have frequently seen women
make the sign of the cross on hearing certain words spoken, and cease
not in doing so after these words had been uttered a second time."

"But how many times," said Simontault, "have they put on their masks (6)
in order to laugh as freely as they pretended to be angry?"