A to Z Classics - Complete Works Of Oscar Wilde (Best Navigation) (A to Z Classics)

Quite so. So I know my constitution can stand it. If you are not quite sure about your ever having been christened, I must say I think it rather dangerous your venturing on it now. It might make you very unwell. You can hardly have forgotten that someone very closely connected with you was very nearly carried off this week in Paris by a severe chill.

·117· jack

Yes, but you said yourself that a severe chill was not hereditary.

algernon

It usen’t to be, I know—but I daresay it is now. Science is always making wonderful improvements in things.

jack

[ Picking up the muffin-dish .] Oh, that is nonsense; you are always talking nonsense.

algernon

Jack, you are at the muffins again! I wish you wouldn’t. There are only two left. [ Takes them .] I told you I was particularly fond of muffins.

jack

But I hate tea-cake.

algernon

Why on earth then do you allow tea-cake to be served up for your guests? What ideas you have of hospitality!

jack

Algernon! I have already told you to go. I don’t want you here. Why don’t you go!

·118· algernon

I haven’t quite finished my tea yet! and there is still one muffin left. [ Jack groans, and sinks into a chair. Algernon still continues eating .]

Act-drop.



·121· SCENE—Morning-room at the Manor House.

[ Gwendolen and Cecily are at the window, looking out into the garden .]

gwendolen

The fact that they did not follow us at once into the house, as anyone else would have done, seems to me to show that they have some sense of shame left.

cecily

They have been eating muffins. That looks like repentance.

gwendolen

[ After a pause .] They don’t seem to notice us at all. Couldn’t you cough?

cecily

But I haven’t got a cough.

gwendolen

They’re looking at us. What effrontery!

·122· cecily

They’re approaching. That’s very forward of them.

gwendolen

Let us preserve a dignified silence.

cecily

Certainly. It’s the only thing to do now.

[ Enter Jack followed by Algernon. They whistle some dreadful popular air from a British Opera .]

gwendolen

This dignified silence seems to produce an unpleasant effect.

cecily

A most distasteful one.

gwendolen

But we will not be the first to speak.

cecily

Certainly not.

gwendolen

Mr. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you. Much depends on your reply.

·123· cecily

Gwendolen, your common sense is invaluable. Mr. Moncrieff, kindly answer me the following question. Why did you pretend to be my guardian’s brother?

algernon

In order that I might have an opportunity of meeting you.

cecily

[ To Gwendolen .] That certainly seems a satisfactory explanation, does it not?

gwendolen

Yes, dear, if you can believe him.

cecily

I don’t. But that does not affect the wonderful beauty of his answer.

gwendolen

True. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother? Was it in order that you might have an opportunity of coming up to town to see me as often as possible?

jack

Can you doubt it, Miss Fairfax?

·124· gwendolen

I have the gravest doubts upon the subject. But I intend to crush them. This is not the moment for German scepticism. [ Moving to Cecily .] Their explanations appear to be quite satisfactory, especially Mr. Worthing’s. That seems to me to have the stamp of truth upon it.

cecily

I am more than content with what Mr. Moncrieff said. His voice alone inspires one with absolute credulity.

gwendolen

Then you think we should forgive them?

cecily

Yes. I mean no.

gwendolen

True! I had forgotten. There are principles at stake that one cannot surrender. Which of us should tell them? The task is not a pleasant one.

cecily

Could we not both speak at the same time?

gwendolen

An excellent idea! I nearly always speak at the same time as other people. Will you take the time from me?

·125· cecily

Certainly. [ Gwendolen beats time with uplifted finger .]

gwendolen and cecily

[ Speaking together .] Your Christian names are still an insuperable barrier. That is all!

jack and algernon

[ Speaking together .] Our Christian names! Is that all? But we are going to be christened this afternoon.

gwendolen

[ To Jack .] For my sake you are prepared to do this terrible thing?

jack

I am.

cecily

[ To Algernon .] To please me you are ready to face this fearful ordeal?

algernon

I am!

gwendolen

How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! ·126· Where questions of self-sacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us.

jack

We are. [ Clasps hands with Algernon .]

cecily

They have moments of physical courage of which we women know absolutely nothing.

gwendolen

[ To Jack .] Darling!

algernon

[ To Cecily .] Darling! [ They fall into each other’s arms .]

[ Enter Merriman. When he enters he coughs loudly, seeing the situation .]

merriman

Ahem! Ahem! Lady Bracknell!

jack

Good heavens!

[ Enter Lady Bracknell. The couples separate in alarm. Exit Merriman .]

lady bracknell

Gwendolen! What does this mean?

·127· gwendolen

Merely that I am engaged to be married to Mr. Worthing, mamma.

lady bracknell

Come here. Sit down. Sit down immediately. Hesitation of any kind is a sign of mental decay in the young, of physical weakness in the old. [ Turns to Jack .] Apprised, sir, of my daughter’s sudden flight by her trusty maid, whose confidence I purchased by means of a small coin, I followed her at once by a luggage train. Her unhappy father is, I am glad to say, under the impression that she is attending a more than usually lengthy lecture by the University Extension Scheme on the Influence of a permanent income on Thought. I do not propose to undeceive him. Indeed I have never undeceived him on any question. I would consider it wrong. But of course, you will clearly understand that all communication between yourself and my daughter must cease immediately from this moment. On this point, as indeed on all points, I am firm.

jack

I am engaged to be married to Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell!

lady bracknell

You are nothing of the kind, sir. And now, as regards Algernon! …. Algernon!

·128· algernon

Yes, Aunt Augusta.

lady bracknell

May I ask if it is in this house that your invalid friend Mr. Bunbury resides?

algernon

[ Stammering .] Oh! No! Bunbury doesn’t live here. Bunbury is somewhere else at present. In fact, Bunbury is dead.

lady bracknell

Dead! When did Mr. Bunbury die? His death must have been extremely sudden.

algernon

[ Airily .] Oh! I killed Bunbury this afternoon. I mean poor Bunbury died this afternoon.

lady bracknell

What did he die of?

algernon

Bunbury? Oh, he was quite exploded.

lady bracknell

Exploded! Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was ·129· interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.

algernon

My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died.

lady bracknell

He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice. And now that we have finally got rid of this Mr. Bunbury, may I ask, Mr. Worthing, who is that young person whose hand my nephew Algernon is now holding in what seems to me a peculiarly unnecessary manner?