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1 1700 / OSCAR WILDE
consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person. ALGERNON [Languidly.] I don't know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane.
LANE
No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself.
ALGERNON
Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you. LANE Thank you, sir. [LANE goes out.] ALGERNON
Lane's views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower
orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They
seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.
[Enter LANE.]
LANE
Mr. Ernest Worthing. [Ewter JACK.] [LANE goes out. ] ALGERNON
How are you, my dear Ernest? What brings you up to town?
JACK
Oh, pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring one anywhere? Eating as usual, I see, Algy! ALGERNON [Stiffly.] I believe it is customary in good society to take some
slight refreshment at five o'clock. Where have you been since last Thursday? JACK [Sitting down on the sofa.] In the country. ALGERNON
What on earth do you do there? JACK [Pidling off his gloves.] When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It is excessively boring.
ALGERNON
And who are the people you amuse? JACK [Airily.] Oh, neighbours, neighbours. ALGERNON
Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?
JACK
Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them.
ALGERNON
How immensely you must amuse them! [Goes over and takes sandwich.] By the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?
JACK
Eh? Shropshire?4 Yes, of course. Hallo! Why all these cups? Why
cucumber sandwiches? Why such reckless extravagance in one so young?
Who is coming to tea?
ALGERNON
Oh! merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.
JACK
How perfectly delightful!
ALGERNON
Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won't quite approve of your being here.
JACK
May I ask why?
ALGERNON
My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectly
disgraceful. It is almost as bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you.
JACK
I am in love with Gwendolen. I have come up to town expressly to
propose to her.
ALGERNON
I thought you had come up for pleasure? .. . I call that business.
JACK
