Duck Soup Question

[n...@szy.omc]

The scene where Mrs. Tesdale introduces Firefly to Vera Markel.
Firefly says, "go ahead I can take it."
Mrs. Tesdale says, "you dont understand..."

whats the joke?

Im guessing its a refrence to something in the late 20's or 30's but I
have no clue and its always puzzled me. Please help.

[John W Kennedy]

The only thing that occurs to me offhand is the now-obsolete use of
"present" to mean "play the role of".

--
John W Kennedy
"Never try to take over the international economy based on a radical
feminist agenda if you're not sure your leader isn't a transvestite."
-- David Misch: "She-Spies", "While You Were Out"

[Pete The Upstart]

I think he's just implying that meeting her is unpleasant. As we see later, she is a villainess.