"Beside manners" joke
George Brown, when he was England's Foreign Minister, was being entertained in Paris by his ambassador, Sir Patrick Reilly. The chief guests were the prime minister of France and his wife. During the course of this very formal dinner, Mr Brown turned to the French prime minister's wife and complimented her on her looks by describing her as' most beddable.'
The hostess was scandalised.' Really, Mr. Brown!' she reprimanded her husband's boss.' That is hardly the thing to say to the wife of the Prime Minister!'
Brown ignored her and continued to address the chief guest's wife.' Surely, Madam, other people have paid you similar compliments.'
The French lady retorted in the typically charming French way,' Oui, monsieur, but never before coffee.'
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