Small-talk

He took Miss Lynes to supper; he outshone himself in vacuitous small-talk during the whole time that the meal lasted; he held undisputed possession of her during that hour especially dear to flirtation, between the time when supper ended and the departure of the guests.

Mr Casaubon seemed even unconscious that trivialities existed, and never handed round that small-talk of heavy men which is as acceptable as stale bride-cake brought forth with an odour of cupboard.

Agreement even seemed to cheer him up, and from there our discussion began to take on a more relaxed and customary shape and to gravitate towards our usual oxymorous small-talk on large topics.