[Give her this: for all she's always a little annoyed at him, she is listening. She knows how to do that, at least. And what he says makes sense, enough so that she pauses for a few seconds before responding, a sure sign she's mulling things over.]

And when too many insults pile up? Surely it becomes ridicule at some point. Surely one's reputation shatters at some point, or at least becomes a joke.

[She waves a hand.]

It's easy to say that when it comes to-- to idiots, or unimportant people. And I see your point there, I truly do, but . . . say it comes from someone whose voice truly matters. You better than anyone ought to know words can do more damage than weapons.