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[84] There remains the prettiest of all forms of humour, namely the jest which depends for success on deceiving anticipations1 or taking another's words in a sense other than he intended. The unexpected element may be employed by the attacking party, as in the example cited by Cicero,2 “What does this man lack save wealth and—virtue?” or in the remark of Afer, “For pleading causes he is most admirably—dressed.” Or it may be employed to meet a statement made by another, as it was by Cicero3 on hearing a false report of Vatinius' death: he had met one of the latter's freedmen and asked him, “Is all well?” The freedman answered,“All is well.” To which Cicero replied,“Is he dead, then?”

1 See IX. ii. 22.

2 de Or. II. lxx. 281.

3 cp. § 68.

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