celibacy leads weaker vessels astray. Chasuble. But is a man not equallyattractive when married?Miss Prism. No married man is ever attractiveexcept to his wife.Chasuble. And often, I've been told, noteven to her.Miss Prism. That depends on the intellectualsympathies of the woman. Maturity can always be depended on. Ripeness can betrusted. Young women are green. [[Dr. Chasuble starts.]] Ispoke horticulturally. My metaphor was drawn from fruits. But where is Cecily?Chasuble. Perhaps she followed us to theschools.Enter Jack slowly from the back of the garden. He is dressed in thedeepest mourning, with crape hatband and black gloves.Miss Prism. Mr. Worthing!Chasuble. Mr. Worthing?Miss Prism. This is indeed a surprise. We didnot look for you till Monday afternoon.Jack. [[Shakes Miss Prism's hand ina tragic manner.]] I have returned sooner than I expected. Dr.Chasuble, I hope you are well?Chasuble. Dear Mr. Worthing, I trust thisgarb of woe does not betoken some terrible calamity?Jack. My brother.Miss Prism. More shameful debts andextravagance?Chasuble. Still leading his life ofpleasure?Jack. [[Shaking his head.]]Dead!Chasuble. Your brother Ernest dead?Jack. Quite dead.Miss Prism. What a lesson for him! I trust hewill profit by it.Chasuble. Mr. Worthing, I offer you mysincere condolence. You have at least the consolation of knowing that you werealways the most generous and forgiving of brothers.Jack. Poor Ernest! He had many faults,but it is a sad, sad blow.Chasuble. Very sad indeed. Were you withhim at the end?Jack. No. He died abroad; in Paris, infact. I had a telegram last night from the manager of the Grand Hotel.Chasuble. Was the cause of death mentioned? p.478Jack. A severe chill, it seems.Miss Prism. As a man sows, so shall he reap.Chasuble. [[Raising his hand.]]Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None of us are perfect. I myself ampeculiarly susceptible to draughts. Will the interment take place here?Jack. No. He seemed to have expressed adesire to be buried in Paris.Chasuble. In Paris! [[Shakes his head.]]I fear that hardly points to any very serious state of mind at the last. Youwould no doubt wish me to make some slight allusion to this tragic domesticaffliction next Sunday. [[Jack presses his hand convulsively.]]My sermon on the meaning of the manna in the wilderness can be adapted toalmost any occasion, joyful, or, as in the present case, distressing. [[Allsigh.]] I have preached it at harvest celebrations, christenings,confirmations, on days of humiliation and festal days. The last time Idelivered it was in the Cathedral, as a charity sermon on behalf of the Societyfor the Prevention of Discontent among the Upper Orders. The Bishop, who waspresent, was much struck by some of the analogies I drew.Jack. Ah! that reminds me, youmentioned christenings, I think, Dr. Chasuble? I suppose you know how tochristen all right? [[Dr. Chasuble looks astounded.]]I mean, of course, you are continually christening, aren't you?Miss Prism. It is, I regret to say, one ofthe Rector's most constant duties in this parish. I have often spoken to thepoorer classes on the subject. But they don't seem to know what thrift is.Chasuble. But is there any particularinfant in whom you are interested, Mr. Worthing? Your brother was, I believe,unmarried, was he not?Jack. Oh, yes.Miss