Beatrice Lillie (Lady Peel) was once accosted by
a
haughty old dowager who scrutinized her through her lorgnettes.
“What
lovely pearls, dear Beatrice,” she maliciously remarked. “Are
they
real?” Yes, nodded Lady Peel. “Of course,” the dowager
declared, “you
can always tell real pearls by biting them. May I try?”
“Gladly,”
Lady Peel replied. “But remember, Duchess, you can’t tell
real pearls
with false teeth.”