The plausible couple are the most ecstatic people living: the most sensitive people—to merit—on the face of the earth. Nothing clever or virtuous escapes them. They have microscopic eyes for such endowments, and can find them anywhere. The plausible couple never fawn—oh no! They don′t even scruple to tell their friends of their faults. One is too generous, another too candid; a third has a tendency to think all people like himself, and to regard mankind as a company of angels; a fourth is kind-hearted to a fault. ′We never flatter, my dear Mrs. Jackson,′ say the plausible couple; ′we speak our minds. Neither you nor Mr. Jackson have faults enough. It may sound strangely, but it is true. You have not faults enough. You know our way,—we must speak out, and always do. Quarrel with us for saying so, if you will; but we repeat it,—you have not faults enough!′
The plausible couple are no less plausible to each other than to third parties. They are always loving and harmonious. The plausible gentleman calls his wife ′darling,′ and the plausible lady addresses him as ′dearest.′ If it be Mr. and Mrs. Bobtail Widger, Mrs. Widger is ′Lavinia, darling,′ and Mr. Widger is ′Bobtail, dearest.′ Speaking of each other, they observe the same tender form. Mrs. Widger relates what ′Bobtail′ said, and Mr. Widger recounts what ′darling′ thought and did.
If you sit next to the plausible lady at a dinner-table, she takes the earliest opportunity of expressing her belief that you are acquainted with the Clickits; she is sure she has heard the Clickits speak of you—she must not tell you in what terms, or you will take her for a flatterer. You admit a knowledge of the Clickits; the plausible lady immediately launches out in their praise. She quite loves the Clickits. Were there ever such true- hearted, hospitable, excellent people—such a gentle, interesting little woman as Mrs. Clickit, or such a frank, unaffected creature as Mr. Clickit? were there ever two people, in short, so little spoiled by the world as they are? ′As who, darling?′ cries Mr. Widger, from the opposite side of the table. ′The Clickits, dearest,′ replies Mrs. Widger. ′Indeed you are right, darling,′ Mr. Widger rejoins; ′the Clickits are a very high-minded, worthy, estimable couple.′ Mrs. Widger remarking that Bobtail always grows quite eloquent upon this subject, Mr. Widger admits that he feels very strongly whenever such people as the Clickits and some other friends of his (here he glances at the host and hostess) are mentioned; for they are an honour to human nature, and do one good to think of. ′YOU know the Clickits, Mrs. Jackson?′ he says, addressing the lady of the house. ′No, indeed; we have not that pleasure,′ she replies. ′You astonish me!′ exclaims Mr. Widger: ′not know the Clickits! why, you are the very people of all others who ought to be their bosom friends. You are kindred beings; you are one and the same thing:- not know the Clickits! Now WILL you know the Clickits? Will you make a point of knowing them? Will you meet them in a friendly way at our house one evening, and be acquainted with them?′ Mrs. Jackson will be quite delighted; nothing would give her more pleasure. ′Then, Lavinia, my darling,′ says Mr. Widger, ′mind you don′t lose sight of that; now, pray take care that Mr. and Mrs. Jackson know the Clickits without loss of time. Such people ought not to be strangers to each other.
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