It’s a tremendous relief to me to have a...

It’s a tremendous relief to me to have an excuse to insult you. I’ve had to listen to your weeping and wailings for days. You’ve clacked at me and snivelled at me until you’ve nearly driven me insane, and I controlled my nerves and continued to try and help you and look after you, because I was sorry for you. I always thought you were stupid from the first, but I must say I never realised that you were a malicious little vixen as well!

Noel Coward. “Private Lives”. Play Parade. London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1934. p.554.