LOOSENER: At a reception in his home, Benjamin Disraeli noticed that one of his guests had not spoken a word to anyone since his arrival. A concerned host, Disraeli went over to the man and said something to him. Instantly, the other's face lit up and he responded with a torrent of words.
Another guest who had witnessed the scene asked Disraeli:"What did you say to him to loosen his tongue?"
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"The usual," answered the prime minister. "I said, `And how is the old complaint?' "