We went on arguing, and after a time I really did not know what I was arguing about.

I advanced and tried to support the theory that on the whole the progress of humanity as represented by the British Empire in general and the about-to-be Lieutenant Tufton in particular, was advanced by the opportune demise of an unfortunately balanced lady.

From her point--or rather her circular area of vision--perhaps my dear Betty was right in declaring me odious.

She hated to be reminded of the intolerable goosiness of her swan.

She longed for comforting, corroborative evidence of essential swaniness for her own justification.