Buckingham Palace, 1885
William Gladstone: Your Majesty, work on the Criminal Law Amendment is nearing completion in Parliament. I am pleased to inform Your Majesty that we shall be undertaking to outlaw every manner of... indecent behaviour.
Queen Victoria: We take it that you refer to the "Greek vice," Mr. Gladstone.
WG: Indeed, ma'am. That along with the practice of... er... Sapphism.
QV: We are not sure of your meaning, sir. Surely you do not mean to imply that ladies actually commit such vile acts?
WG: Um... er...
QV: Haven't you read your Bible, Mr. Gladstone? Well, have you?
WG: Er, yes, ma'am.
QV: I have, I mean, we have read right through the Bible and found no mention whatsoever of this. Therefore, it is beneath our notice. We will hear no more of this.
Queen Victoria: We take it that you refer to the "Greek vice," Mr. Gladstone.
WG: Indeed, ma'am. That along with the practice of... er... Sapphism.
QV: We are not sure of your meaning, sir. Surely you do not mean to imply that ladies actually commit such vile acts?
WG: Um... er...
QV: Haven't you read your Bible, Mr. Gladstone? Well, have you?
WG: Er, yes, ma'am.
QV: I have, I mean, we have read right through the Bible and found no mention whatsoever of this. Therefore, it is beneath our notice. We will hear no more of this.