THIRD ACT
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 any one 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!
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.
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.
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 any one 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!
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.
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.
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