Ernest. It'sabsurd. Besides, I have a perfect right to be christened if I like. There is noevidence at all that I ever have been christened by anybody. I should think itextremely probable that I never was, and so does Dr. Chasuble. It is entirelydifferent in your case. You have been christened already.Algernon. Yes, but I have not beenchristened for years.Jack. Yes, but you have beenchristened. That is the important thing.Algernon. Quite so. So I know myconstitution can stand it. If you are not quite sure about your ever havingbeen christened, I must say I think it rather dangerous your venturing on itnow. It might make you very unwell. You can hardly have forgotten that someonevery closely connected with you was very nearly carried off this week in Parisby a severe chill.Jack. Yes, but you said yourself that asevere chill was not hereditary.Algernon. It usen't to be, I know---but Idaresay it is now. Science is always making wonderful improvements in things. p.496Jack. [[Picking up the muffin-dish.]]Oh, that is nonsense; you are always talking nonsense.Algernon. Jack, you are at the muffinsagain! I wish you wouldn't. There are only two left. [[Takes them.]] Itold you I was particularly fond of muffins.Jack. But I hate tea-cake.Algernon. Why on earth then do you allowtea-cake to be served up for your guests? What ideas you have of hospitality!Jack. Algernon! I have already told youto go. I don't want you here. Why don't you go!Algernon. I haven't quite finished my teayet! and there is still one muffin left. [[Jack groans, and sinks into a chair,Algernon still continues eating.]] [Act Drop]Third ActScene Morning-room at theManor House.[Gwendolen and Cecily are atthe window, looking out into the garden.]Gwendolen. The fact that they did not followus at once into the house, as anyone else would have done, seems to me to showthat they have some sense of shame left.Cecily. They have been eating muffins. Thatlooks 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. Whateffrontery!Cecily. They're approaching. That's veryforward of them.Gwendolen. Let us preserve a dignifiedsilence.Cecily. Certainly. It's the only thing todo now.Enter Jack followed by Algernon. They whistle some dreadful popular airfrom a British Opera.Gwendolen. This dignified silence seems toproduce an unpleasant effect. p.497Cecily. A most distasteful one.Gwendolen. But we will not be the first tospeak.Cecily. Certainly not.Gwendolen. Mr. Worthing, I have somethingvery particular to ask you. Much depends on your reply.Cecily. Gwendolen, your common sense isinvaluable. Mr. Moncrieff, kindly answer me the following question. Why did youpretend to be my guardian's brother?Algernon. In order that I might have anopportunity of meeting you.Cecily. [[To Gwendolen.]]That certainly seems a satisfactory explanation, does it not?Gwendolen. Yes, dear, if you can believehim.Cecily. I don't. But that does not affectthe wonderful beauty of this answer.Gwendolen. True. In matters of graveimportance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Mr. Worthing, whatexplanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother? Was it inorder that you might have an opportunity of coming up to town to see me asoften as