CECILY
What is the matter, Uncle Jack? Do look happy! You look as if you
had toothache, and I have got such a surprise for you. Who do you think is
in the dining room? Your brother!
JACK
Who?
CECILY
Your brother Ernest. He arrived about half an hour ago.
JACK
What nonsense! I haven't got a brother!
CECILY
Oh, don't say that. However badly he may have behaved to you in the
past he is still your brother. You couldn't be so heartless as to disown him.
.
1 1720 / OSCAR WILDE
I'll tell him to come out. And you will shake hands with him, won't you, Uncle Jack? [Runs back into the house.]
CHASUBLE
These are very joyful tidings.
MISS PRISM
After we had all been resigned to his loss, his sudden return
seems to me peculiarly distressing.
JACK
My brother is in the dining room? I don't know what it all means. I
think it is perfectly absurd.
[Enter ALGERNON and CECILY hand in hand. They come slowly up to
JACK.] JACK Good heavens! [Motions ALGERNON away.] ALGERNON
Brother John, I have come down from town to tell you that I am
very sorry for all the trouble I have given you, and that I intend to lead a better life in the future, [JACKglares at him and does not take his hand.]
CECILY
Uncle Jack, you are not going to refuse your own brother's hand?
JACK
Nothing will induce me to take his hand. I think his coming down here disgraceful. He knows perfectly well why.
CECILY
Uncle Jack, do be nice. There is some good in everyone. Ernest has
just been telling me about his poor invalid friend Mr. Bunbury whom he
goes to visit so often. And surely there must be much good in one who is
kind to an invalid, and leaves the pleasures of London to sit by a bed of
pain.
JACK
Oh! he has been talking about Bunbury, has he?
CECILY
Yes, he has told me all about poor Mr. Bunbury, and his terrible state
of health.
JACK
Bunbury! Well, I won't have him talk to you about Bunbury or about
anything else. It is enough to drive one perfectly frantic.
ALGERNON
Of course I admit that the faults were all on my side. But I must
