"Of Conversation: An Apology" by H. G. Wells is a short essay. H. G. Wells once different, humorous social satire and ironic.

I must admit that in conversation I am not a brilliant success. Partly, indeed, that may be owing to the assiduity with which my aunt suppressed my early essays in the art: "Children," she said, "should be seen but not heard," and incontinently rapped my knuckles.