would stay with me, I suppose. I should think it very unkind if you didn't.Jack. Well, will you go if I change myclothes?Algernon. Yes, if you are not too long. Inever saw anybody take so long to dress, and with such little result.Jack. Well, at any rate, that is betterthan being always over-dressed as you are.Algernon. If I am occasionally a littleover-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated.Jack. Your vanity is ridiculous, yourconduct an outrage, and your presence in my garden utterly absurd. However, youhave got to catch the four-five, and I hope you will have a pleasant journeyback to town. This Bunburying, as you call it, has not been a great success foryou.[Goes into the house.]Algernon. I think it has been a greatsuccess. I'm in love with Cecily, and that is everything.Enter Cecily at the back of the garden. She picks up the can and beginsto water the flowers.But I must see her before I go,and make arrangements for another Bunbury. Ah, there she is.Cecily. Oh, I merely came back to waterthe roses. I thought you were with Uncle Jack.Algernon. He's gone to order the dog-cartfor me.Cecily. Oh, is he going to take you for anice drive?Algernon. He's going to send me away.Cecily. Then have we got to part?Algernon. I am afraid so. It's very painfulparting.Cecily. It is always painful to part frompeople whom one has known for a very brief space of time. The absence of oldfriends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary p.483separation from anyone to whomone has just been introduced is almost unbearable. Algernon. Thank you.Enter Merriman.Merriman. The dog-cart is at the door, sir.[Algernon looks appealinglyat Cecily.]Cecily. It can wait, Merriman . . . for .. . five minutes.Merriman. Yes, Miss.[Exit Merriman.]Algernon. I hope, Cecily, I shall not offendyou if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every waythe visible personification of absolute perfection.Cecily. I think your frankness does yougreat credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I will copy your remarks into my diary.[Goes over to table andbegins writing in diary.]Algernon. Do you really keep a diary? I'dgive anything to look at it. May I?Cecily. Oh no. [[Puts her hand over it.]]You see, it is simply a very young girl's record of her own thoughts and impressions,and consequently meant for publication. When it appears in volume form I hopeyou will order a copy. But pray, Ernest, don't stop. I delight in taking downfrom dictation. I have reached `absolute perfection.' You can go on. I am quiteready for more.Algernon. [[Somewhat taken aback.]]Ahem! Ahem!Cecily. Oh, don't cough, Ernest. When oneis dictating one should speak fluently and not cough. Besides, I don't know howto spell a cough.[Writes as Algernon speaks.]Algernon. [[Speaking very rapidly.]]Cecily, ever since I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty,I have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly.Cecily. I don't think that you shouldtell me that you love me wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly.Hopelessly doesn't seem to make much sense, does it?Algernon. Cecily!Enter Merriman.Merriman. The dog-cart is waiting, sir.Algernon. Tell it to