Sparkling repartee at a ball

My son, aged 21, is a goodnatured, gentlemanly lad, who is extremely devoted to his girlfriend, a sweet, ladylike girl.

[Scene: last night, medical students' mid-year ball]

Inebriated chap: [exact words not reported, but uncouth chat-up lines directed to Son's Girlfriend]

[Son inserts himself protectively between Girlfriend and Inebriated Chap.]

Inebriated chap: I like that girl.

Son [politely] : I like her too.

Inebriated chap : I don't like you, though.

Son [firmly] : Well, I don't like you much either.

[Son and Girlfriend retreat rapidly, but with dignity, to distant part of room.]



Given time, he might have thought of something wittier, but it seemed to work well enough.