MRS. HIGGINS. Henry: you are the life and soul of the Royal
Society's soirees; but really you're rather trying on more
commonplace occasions.

HIGGINS. Am I? Very sorry. [Beaming suddenly] I suppose I am, you
know. [Uproariously] Ha, ha!

MISS EYNSFORD HILL [who considers Higgins quite eligible
matrimonially] I sympathize. I haven't any small talk. If people
would only be frank and say what they really think!

HIGGINS [relapsing into gloom] Lord forbid!

MRS. EYNSFORD HILL [taking up her daughter's cue] But why?

HIGGINS. What they think they ought to think is bad enough, Lord
knows; but what they really think would break up the whole show.
Do you suppose it would be really agreeable if I were to come out
now with what I really think?

MISS EYNSFORD HILL [gaily] Is it so very cynical?

HIGGINS. Cynical! Who the dickens said it was cynical? I mean it
wouldn't be decent.

MRS. EYNSFORD HILL [seriously] Oh! I'm sure you don't mean that,
Mr. Higgins.

HIGGINS. You see, we're all savages, more or less. We're supposed
to be civilized and cultured--to know all about poetry and