with unpleasing comments, has naturallystirred the deeper fibres of my nature. Your Christian name has an irresistiblefascination. The simplicity of your character makes you exquisitelyincomprehensible to me. Your town address at the Albany I have. What is youraddress in the country?Jack. The Manor House, Woolton,Hertfordshire.[Algernon, who has beencarefully listening, smiles to himself, and writes the address on hisshirtcuff. Then picks up the Railway Guide.]Gwendolen. There is a good postal service, Isuppose? It may be necessary to do something desperate. That of course willrequire serious consideration. I will communicate with you daily.Jack. My own one!Gwendolen. How long do you remain in town?Jack. Till Monday.Gwendolen. Good! Algy, you may turn roundnow.Algernon. Thanks, I've turned roundalready.Gwendolen. You may also ring the bell.Jack. You will let me see you to yourcarriage, my own darling?Gwendolen. Certainly.Jack. [[To Lane, who now enters.]]I will see Miss Fairfax out.Lane. Yes, sir.[Jack and Gwendolen go off.][Lane presents severalletters on a salver to Algernon. It is to be surmised that they are bills, asAlgernon after looking at the envelopes, tears them up.]Algernon. A glass of sherry, Lane.Lane. Yes, sir.Algernon. To-morrow, Lane, I'm goingBunburying.Lane. Yes, sir.Algernon. I shall probably not be back tillMonday. You can put up my dress clothes, my smoking jacket, and all the Bunburysuits . . .Lane. Yes, sir.[Handing sherry.]Algernon. I hope to-morrow will be a fineday, Lane.Lane. It never is, sir.Algernon. Lane, you're a perfect pessimist. p.471Lane. I do my best to givesatisfaction, sir.[Enter Jack. Lane goes off.]Jack. There's a sensible, intellectualgirl! The only girl I ever cared for in my life. [[Algernon is laughingimmoderately.]] What on earth are you so amused at?Algernon. Oh, I'm a little anxious aboutpoor Bunbury, that is all.Jack. If you don't take care, yourfriend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day.Algernon. I love scrapes. They are the onlythings that are never serious.Jack. Oh, that's nonsense, Algy. Younever talk anything but nonsense.Algernon. Nobody ever does. [[Jacklooks indignantly at him, and leaves the room. Algernon lights a cigarette,reads his shirtcuff, and smiles.]] [Act Drop]Second ActScene Garden at the ManorHouse. A flight of grey stone steps leads up to the house. The garden, anold-fashioned one, full of roses. Time of year, July. Basket-chairs, and atable covered with books, are set under a large yew-tree.[Miss Prism discovered seatedat the table. Cecily is at the back watering flowers.]Miss Prism. [[Calling.]]Cecily, Cecily! Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowersis rather Moulton's duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectualpleasures await you. Your German grammar is on the table. Pray open it at pagefifteen. We will repeat yesterday's lesson.Cecily. [[Coming over very slowly.]]But I don't like German. It isn't at all a becoming language. I know perfectlywell that I look quite plain after my German lesson.Miss Prism. Child, you know how anxious yourguardian is that you should improve yourself in everyway. He laid particular stress on your German, as he was leaving for townyesterday. Indeed, he always lays stress on your German when he is leaving fortown. Cecily. Dear Uncle Jack is so veryserious! Sometimes he is so serious that I think he cannot