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The Importance of Being Earnest - Act I

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•The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde.	•Le livre électronique Project Gutenberg, The Importance of Being Earnest (L'Importance d'être Constant) d'Oscar Wilde.
•Publisher's preface.	•Préface de l'éditeur.
•This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. •You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org.	•Ce livre électronique s'adresse à n'importe qui sans frais et sans aucune restriction. •Vous pouvez le copier, le renvoyer ou le réutiliser selon les termes de la licence Project Gutenberg incluse dans ce livre électronique ou en ligne sur www.gutenberg.org.
•Title: The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.	•Titre: L'importance d'être Constant. Une comédie frivole pour personnes sérieuses. *
•Author: Oscar Wilde.	•Auteur: Oscar Wilde.
•Release Date: August 29, 2006 [eBook #844].	•Date de la parution: 29 août 2006 [Livre électronique n ° 844].
•Language: English.	•Langue : anglaise.
•Transcribed from the 1915 Methuen & Co. Ltd. edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org.	•Transcrit de l'édition de 1915 Methuen & Co. Ltd. par David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
•Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm.	•Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm
•The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People By Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).	•L'importance d'être constant. Une comédie frivole pour personnes sérieuses Par Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).
•THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY.	•LES PERSONNAGES DE LA PIÈCE. *
•John Worthing, JP.	•John Worthing, J.P.
•Algernon Moncrieff.	•Algernon Moncrieff.
•Rev. •Canon Chasuble, DD.	•Révérend •Canon Chasuble, D.D.
•Merriman, Butler.	•Merriman, le majordome. *
•Lane, Manservant.	•Lane, le valet de chambre.
•Lady Bracknell.	•Lady Bracknell.
•Hon. •Gwendolen Fairfax.	•Hon. •Gwendolen Fairfax.
•Cecily Cardew.	•Cecily Cardew.
•Miss Prism, Governess.	•Miss Prism, la gouvernante. *
•THE SCENES OF THE PLAY.	•LES SCÈNES DE LA PIÈCE.
•ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W. ACT II. •The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.	•ACTE I. L'appartement d'Algernon Moncrieff dans Half-Moon Street, W. ACTE II. •Le Jardin de Manor House, Woolton.
•ACT III. •Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.	•ACTE III. •Salon de Manor House, Woolton.
•TIME: The Present.	•Epoque : Le présent.
•LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander.	•LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE Locataire et directeur: M. George Alexander.
•February 14th, 1895.	•Le 14 février 1895.
•* * * * * John Worthing, JP: Mr. George Alexander.	•* * * * * John Worthing, J.P.: M. George Alexander.
•Algernon Moncrieff: Mr. Allen Aynesworth.	•Algernon Moncrieff: M. Allen Aynesworth.
•Rev. •Canon Chasuble, DD: Mr. HH Vincent.	•Le révérend •Canon Chasuble, D.D.: M. H.H. Vincent.
•Merriman: Mr. Frank Dyall.	•Merriman: M. Frank Dyall.
•Lane: Mr. F. Kinsey Peile.	•Lane: M. F. Kinsey Peile.
•Lady Bracknell: Miss Rose Leclercq.	•Lady Bracknell: Mlle Rose Leclercq.
•Hon. •Gwendolen Fairfax: Miss Irene Vanbrugh.	•L'honorable •Gwendolen Fairfax: Mlle Irene Vanbrugh.
•Cecily Cardew: Miss Evelyn Millard.	•Cecily Cardew: Mlle Evelyn Millard.
•Miss Prism: Mrs. George Canninge.	•Miss Prism: Mme George Canninge.
•FIRST ACT.	•PREMIER ACTE.
•SCENE: Morning-room in Algernon’s flat in Half-Moon Street. •The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished. •The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room.	•SCÈNE : Petit salon dans l'appartement d'Algernon dans Half-Moon street. •La chambre est luxueusement et artistiquement meublée. •On entend le son d'un piano dans la chambre attenante.
•[Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters].	•[Lane est en train d'organiser le thé de l'après-midi sur la table, et après que la musique a cessé, Algernon entre].
•Algernon. •Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?	•Algernon. •Avez-vous entendu ce que je jouais, Lane ?
•Lane. •I didn’t think it polite to listen, sir.	•Lane. •Je ne pensais pas qu'il soit poli d'écouter, monsieur.
•Algernon. •I’m sorry for that, for your sake. •I don’t play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression. •As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. •I keep science for Life.	•Algernon. •J'en suis navré pour vous. •Je ne joue pas avec justesse - n'importe qui peut jouer juste - mais je joue avec une merveilleuse expressivité. •En ce qui concerne le piano, le sentiment est mon fort. •Je garde la science pour la vie.
•Lane. •Yes, sir.	•Lane. •— Oui monsieur.
•Algernon. •And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?	•Algernon. •Et, en parlant de la science de la vie, avez-vous fait les sandwichs au concombre pour Lady Bracknell ?
•Lane. •Yes, sir. •[Hands them on a salver].	•Lane. •Oui, monsieur. •[Il les sert sur un plateau].
•Algernon. •[Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa]. •Oh! •. •. •. •by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursday night, when Lord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles of champagne are entered as having been consumed.	•Algernon. •[Les inspecte, en prend deux et s'assied dans le canapé]. •Ah ! •. •. •. •À propos, Lane, je vu sur votre registre que, jeudi soir, lorsque Lord Shoreman et M. Worthing dînaient avec moi, huit bouteilles de champagne étaient inscrites comme consommées.
•Lane. •Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.	•Lane •Oui, monsieur ; huit bouteilles et une pinte.
•Algernon. •Why is it that at a bachelor’s establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne? •I ask merely for information.	•Algernon •Pourquoi est-ce qu'à l'installation d'un célibataire, les domestiques boivent invariablement le champagne ? •Je demande simplement à titre informatif.
•Lane. •I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. •I have often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand.	•Lane. •Je l'attribue à la qualité supérieure du vin, monsieur. •J'ai souvent observé que dans les foyers de mariés, le champagne est rarement de bonne qualité.
•Algernon. •Good heavens! •Is marriage so demoralising as that?	•Algernon. •Mon Dieu ! •Le mariage démoralise-t-il tant que cela ? *
•Lane. •I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir. •I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present. •I have only been married once. •That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.	•Lane. •Je crois que c'est un état très agréable, monsieur. •Je n'ai eu que très peu d'expérience à ce sujet jusqu'à présent. •J'ai été marié seulement une fois. •C'était à la suite d'un malentendu entre une jeune personne et moi.
•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. •[Mollement]. •Je ne crois pas que je suis très intéressé par votre vie de famille, Lane. •Lane. •Non monsieur ; ce n'est pas un sujet très intéressant. •Personnellement, je n'y pense jamais.
•Algernon. •Very natural, I am sure. •That will do, Lane, thank you.	•Algernon. •Tout à fait normal, je suis sûr. •Ça ira, Lane, merci.
•Lane. •Thank you, sir. •[Lane goes out].	•Lane. •Merci, monsieur. •[Lane sort].
•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.	•Algernon. •Les opinions de Lane sur le mariage semblent un peu laxistes. •Vraiment, si les classes modestes ne nous donnent pas le bon exemple, quelle est leur utilité ? •Elles semblent, en tant que classe, n'avoir absolument aucun conscience de responsabilité morale.
•[Enter Lane].	•[Lane entre].
•Lane. •Mr. Ernest Worthing.	•Lane. •M. Ernest Worthing.
•[Enter Jack].	•[Jack entre].
•[Lane goes out].	•[Lane sort].
•Algernon. •How are you, my dear Ernest? •What brings you up to town?	•Algernon. •Comment vas-tu, mon cher Ernest ? •Qu'est-ce qui t'amène en ville ?
•Jack. •Oh, pleasure, pleasure! •What else should bring one anywhere?	•Jack. •Oh, le plaisir, le plaisir ! •Quoi d'autre pourrait nous emmener quelque part ?
•Eating as usual, I see, Algy!	•En train de manger comme d'habitude, je constate, Algernon !
•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?	•Algernon. •[D'un air guindé]. •Je crois qu'il est habituel dans la bonne société de prendre un léger rafraîchissement à cinq heures. •Où étais-tu depuis jeudi dernier ?
•Jack. •[Sitting down on the sofa]. •In the country.	•Jack. •[S'asseyant sur le canapé]. •A la campagne.
•Algernon. •What on earth do you do there?	•Algernon. •Que diable faisais-tu là-bas ?
•Jack. •[Pulling 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.	•Jack. •[Enlevant ses gants]. •Quand on est en ville, on s'amuse. •Quand on est à la campagne, on amuse les autres personnes. •C'est excessivement ennuyeux.
•Algernon. •And who are the people you amuse?	•Algernon. •Et qui sont les gens que tu amuses ?
•Jack. •[Airily]. •Oh, neighbours, neighbours.	•Jack. •[Avec désinvolture]. •Oh, des voisins, des voisins.
•Algernon. •Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?	•Algernon. •Tu as de bons voisins dans ta région du Shropshire ?
•Jack. •Perfectly horrid! •Never speak to one of them.	•Jack. •Parfaitement horrible! •Je ne parle jamais à l'un d'entre eux.
•Algernon. •How immensely you must amuse them! •[Goes over and takes sandwich]. •By the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?	•Algernon. •Tu dois grandement les amuser ! •[Va de l'autre côté et prend un sandwich]. •À propos, le Shropshire c'est ta région, n'est-ce pas ?
•Jack. •Eh? •Shropshire? •Yes, of course. •Hallo! •Why all these cups? •Why cucumber sandwiches? •Why such reckless extravagance in one so young? •Who is coming to tea?	•Jack. •Eh? •Shropshire? •Oui, naturellement. •Bonjour! •Pourquoi toutes ces tasses ? •Pourquoi des sandwiches au concombre ? •Pourquoi cette imprudente extravagance chez une personne aussi jeune ? •Qui vient prendre le thé ?
•Algernon. •Oh! •merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.	•Algernon. •Oh! •simplement la tante Augusta et Gwendolen.
•Jack. •How perfectly delightful!	•Jack. •Quelle délicatesse!
•Algernon. •Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being here.	•Algernon. •Oui, tout cela est très bien, mais je crains que Tante Augusta n'approuve pas vraiment ta présence.
•Jack. •May I ask why?	•Jack. •Puis-je demander pourquoi ?
•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.	•Algernon. •Mon cher ami, la façon dont tu flirtes avec Gwendolen est parfaitement honteuse. •Presqu'autant que la façon dont Gwendolen flirte avec toi.
•Jack. •I am in love with Gwendolen. •I have come up to town expressly to propose to her.	•Jack. •Je suis amoureux de Gwendolen. •Je suis venu exprès en ville pour la demander en mariage.
•Algernon. •I thought you had come up for pleasure? •. •. •. •I call that business.	•Algernon. •Je pensais que tu étais venu pour le plaisir. •. •. •. •J'appelle cela les affaires.
•Jack. •How utterly unromantic you are!	•Jack. •Comme tu es terre à terre !
•Algernon. •I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing. •It is very romantic to be in love. •But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. •Why, one may be accepted. •One usually is, I believe. •Then the excitement is all over. •The very essence of romance is uncertainty. •If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.	•Algernon. •Je ne vois vraiment rien de romantique dans une demande en mariage. •C'est très romantique d'être amoureux. •Mais il n'y a rien de romantique dans une demande précise. •Pourquoi, on peut être accepté. •D'habitude on l'est, je crois. •Alors toute l'effervescence s'en va. •L'incertitude est l'essence même d'une histoire de cœur. •Si je me marie un jour, j'essaierai sûrement d'oublier cela.
•Jack. •I have no doubt about that, dear Algy. •The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.	•Jack. •Je n'en doute pas, mon cher Algy. •La Cour de divorce fut spécialement inventée pour les personnes dont les souvenirs sont si curieusement constitués.
•Algernon. •Oh! •there is no use speculating on that subject. •Divorces are made in Heaven—[Jack puts out his hand to take a sandwich. •Algernon at once interferes]. •Please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches. •They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta. •[Takes one and eats it].	•Algernon. •Ah ! •Il est inutile de spéculer sur ce sujet. •Les divorces sont faits au Ciel... Jack tend sa main pour prendre un sandwich. •Algernon interfère tout de suite]. •S'il te plait, ne touche pas aux sandwichs au concombre. •Ils ont été préparés spécialement pour Tante Augusta. •[Il en prend un et le mange].
•Jack. •Well, you have been eating them all the time.	•Jack. •Eh bien ! tu en manges tout le temps.
•Algernon. •That is quite a different matter. •She is my aunt. •[Takes plate from below]. •Have some bread and butter. •The bread and butter is for Gwendolen. •Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.	•Algernon. •C'est tout à fait autre chose. •C'est ma tante. •[Il prend un plateau en dessous]. •Prends les petits pains beurrés. •Les petits pains beurrés sont pour Gwendolen. •Gwendolen raffole des petits pains beurrés.
•Jack. •[Advancing to table and helping himself]. •And very good bread and butter it is too.	•Jack. •[S'avançant vers la table pour se servir]. •Et ils sont aussi très bons ces petits pains beurrés.
•Algernon. •Well, my dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all. •You behave as if you were married to her already. •You are not married to her already, and I don’t think you ever will be.	•Algernon. •Eh bien, mon ami ! Il est inutile de manger comme si tu allais tout dévorer. •Tu te comportes comme si tu l'avais déjà épousée. •Tu n'es pas encore marié avec elle et je ne pense pas que tu le seras jamais.
•Jack. •Why on earth do you say that?	•Jack. •Pourquoi diable dis-tu cela ?
•Algernon. •Well, in the first place girls never marry the men they flirt with. •Girls don’t think it right.	•Algernon. •Eh bien, en premier lieu parce que les filles n'épousent jamais leurs flirts ! •Les filles pensent que ce n'est pas bien.
•Jack. •Oh, that is nonsense!	•Jack. •Oh, mais c'est absurde !
•Algernon. •It isn’t. •It is a great truth. •It accounts for the extraordinary number of bachelors that one sees all over the place. •In the second place, I don’t give my consent.	•Algernon. •Ça ne l'est pas. •C'est une vérité profonde. •Cela explique le nombre incroyable de célibataires que l'on voit partout. •Et en deuxième lieu, je ne donne pas mon consentement.
•Jack. •Your consent!	•Jack. •Ton consentement !
•Algernon. •My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin. •And before I allow you to marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily. •[Rings bell].	•Algernon. •Mon cher ami, Gwendolen est ma cousine germaine. •Et avant que je ne t'autorise à l'épouser, tu vas devoir éclaircir toute cette histoire au sujet de Cecily. •[Il sonne].
•Jack. •Cecily! •What on earth do you mean? •What do you mean, Algy, by Cecily! •I don’t know any one of the name of Cecily.	•Jack. •Cecily ! •Que diable veux-tu dire ? •Que veux-tu dire Algy par Cecily ! •Je ne connais personne du nom de Cecily.
•[Enter Lane].	•[Lane entre].
•Algernon. •Bring me that cigarette case Mr. Worthing left in the smoking-room the last time he dined here.	•Algernon. •Apportez-moi cet étui à cigarettes que M. Worthing a laissé dans le fumoir la dernière fois qu'il a diné ici.
•Lane. •Yes, sir. •[Lane goes out].	•Lane. •Oui, monsieur. •[Lane sort].
•Jack. •Do you mean to say you have had my cigarette case all this time? •I wish to goodness you had let me know. •I have been writing frantic letters to Scotland Yard about it. •I was very nearly offering a large reward.	•Jack. •Cela veut dire que tu avais mon étui à cigarettes pendant tout ce temps. •Si seulement tu me l'avais dit ! •J'ai écrit des courriers délirants à ce sujet à Scotland Yard. •J'étais quasi prêt à offrir une forte récompense.
•Algernon. •Well, I wish you would offer one. •I happen to be more than usually hard up.	•Algernon. •Eh bien, j'aurais aimé que tu en offres une ! •Je suis plutôt fauché en ce moment.
•Jack. •There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found.	•Jack. •Il n'y a aucune raison d'offrir une forte récompense maintenant que l'objet a été retrouvé.
•[Enter Lane with the cigarette case on a salver. •Algernon takes it at once. •Lane goes out].	•[Lane entre avec l'étui à cigarettes sur un plateau. •Algernon le voit immédiatement. •Lane sort].
•Algernon. •I think that is rather mean of you, Ernest, I must say. •[Opens case and examines it]. •However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the inscription inside, I find that the thing isn’t yours after all.	•Algernon. •Je dois dire, Ernest, que je trouve cela plutôt mesquin de ta part. •[Il ouvre l'étui et l'examine]. •Cependant cela n'a pas d'importance car maintenant que je regarde à l'inscription à l'intérieur, je vois que cet objet ne t'appartient pas en fin de compte.
•Jack. •Of course it’s mine. •[Moving to him.] •You have seen me with it a hundred times, and you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside. •It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.	•Jack. •Bien sûr qu'il m'appartient. •[S'avance vers lui]. •Tu m'as vu avec cet étui une centaine de fois, et tu n'as pas le moindre droit de regarder ce qui est inscrit dedans. •C'est très grossier de lire les inscriptions à l'intérieur d'un étui à cigarettes.
•Algernon. •Oh! •it is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn’t. •More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read.	•Algernon. •Ah ! •c'est absurde d'avoir une règle stricte au sujet de ce qu'il convient ou pas de lire. •Plus de la moitié de la culture moderne repose sur ce qu'il ne faudrait pas lire.
•Jack. •I am quite aware of the fact, and I don’t propose to discuss modern culture. •It isn’t the sort of thing one should talk of in private. •I simply want my cigarette case back.	•Jack. •Je suis bien conscient de ce fait et ne te propose pas de discuter de culture moderne. •Ce n'est pas le genre de sujet dont il convient de parler en privé. •Je veux simplement récupérer mon étui à cigarettes.
•Algernon. •Yes; but this isn’t your cigarette case. •This cigarette case is a present from some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn’t know any one of that name.	•Algernon. •Oui, mais ce n'est pas ton étui à cigarettes. •Cet étui à cigarettes est un cadeau d'une personne prénommée Cecily et tu m'as dit que tu ne connaissais personne de ce nom.
•Jack. •Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.	•Jack. •Eh bien, si tu veux savoir, il se trouve que Cecily est ma tante.
•Algernon. •Your aunt!	•Algernon. •Ta Tante !
•Jack. •Yes. •Charming old lady she is, too. •Lives at Tunbridge Wells. •Just give it back to me, Algy.	•Jack. •Oui. •C'est aussi une charmante vieille dame. •Elle vit à Tunbridge Wells. •Rends-moi mon étui maintenant, Algy.
•Algernon. •[Retreating to back of sofa.] •But why does she call herself little Cecily if she is your aunt and lives at Tunbridge Wells? •[Reading]. •‘From little Cecily with her fondest love.’ Jack. •[Moving to sofa and kneeling upon it]. •My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that? •Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall. •That is a matter that surely an aunt may be allowed to decide for herself. •You seem to think that every aunt should be exactly like your aunt! •That is absurd! •For Heaven’s sake give me back my cigarette case. •[Follows Algernon round the room].	•Algernon. •[Il recule vers le canapé.] •Mais pourquoi se faire appeler « petite Cecily » si c'est ta tante et qu'elle habite à Tunbridge Wells ? •[Il lit]. •« De la part de la petite Cecily avec son tendre amour. » Jack. •[Il se déplace jusqu'au canapé et s'agenouille dessus]. •Mon cher ami, que diable y a-t-il à ça? •Certaines tantes sont grandes, certaines tantes ne sont pas grandes. •C'est une question que sûrement une tante peut décider elle-même. •Tu sembles penser que chaque tante devrait être exactement comme ta tante! •C'est absurde! •Pour l'amour du ciel, rends-moi mon étui à cigarettes. •[Il suit Algernon autour de la pièce].
•Algernon. •Yes. •But why does your aunt call you her uncle? •‘From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.’ There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt being a small aunt, but why an aunt, no matter what her size may be, should call her own nephew her uncle, I can’t quite make out. •Besides, your name isn’t Jack at all; it is Ernest.	•Algernon. •Oui. •Mais pourquoi ta tante t'appelle-t-elle son oncle ? •« De la petite Cecily, avec son plus tendre amour pour son oncle Jack ». Rien ne s'oppose, je l'admets à ce qu'une tante soit une petite tante, mais pourquoi une tante, peu importe sa taille, appelle-t-elle son neveu son oncle, je ne le comprends pas. •D'ailleurs, ton nom n'est pas Jack du tout, c'est Ernest.
•Jack. •It isn’t Ernest; it’s Jack.	•Jack. •Ce n'est pas Ernest, c'est Jack.
•Algernon. •You have always told me it was Ernest. •I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. •You answer to the name of Ernest. •You look as if your name was Ernest. •You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. •It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn’t Ernest. •It’s on your cards. •Here is one of them. •[Taking it from case]. •‘Mr. •Ernest Worthing, B. •4, The Albany.’ I’ll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else. •[Puts the card in his pocket].	•Algernon. •Tu m'as toujours dit que c'était Ernest. •Je t'ai présenté à tous sous le nom d'Ernest. •Tu réponds au nom d'Ernest. •Vous avez l'air d'être Constant. •Tu es la personne la plus constante que j'aie jamais vue de ma vie. •Il est parfaitement absurde de dire que ton nom n'est pas Constant. •C'est sur tes cartes de visite. •Voici l'une d'entre elles. •[Il la sort de l’étui]. •« M. •Constant Worthing, B. •4, l’Albany ». Je garderai cela comme une preuve que ton nom est Constant si jamais tu essaies de me le nier, ou à Gwendolen, ou à n'importe qui d'autre. •[Met la carte dans sa poche].
•Jack. •Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country.	•Jack. •Eh bien, mon nom est Constant en ville et Jack dans le pays, et l'étui à cigarettes m'a été donné dans le pays.
•Algernon. •Yes, but that does not account for the fact that your small Aunt Cecily, who lives at Tunbridge Wells, calls you her dear uncle. •Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once.	•Algernon. •Oui, mais cela n'explique pas le fait que ta petite tante Cecily, qui habite à Tunbridge Wells, t'appelle son cher oncle. •Allons, mon vieux, tu ferais mieux de lâcher le morceau.
•Jack. •My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist. •It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn’t a dentist. •It produces a false impression.	•Jack. •Mon cher Algy, tu parles exactement comme si tu étais un dentiste. •C'est très vulgaire de parler comme un dentiste quand on en est pas un. •Cela provoque un malentendu.
•Algernon. •Well, that is exactly what dentists always do. •Now, go on! •Tell me the whole thing. •I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a confirmed and secret Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now.	•Algernon. •Eh bien, c'est exactement ce que les dentistes font toujours ! •Allez, vas-y ! •Raconte-moi toute l'histoire. •Je dois dire que je t'ai toujours soupçonné d'être un vrai Bunburiste caché, et que j'en suis convaincu maintenant.
•Jack. •Bunburyist? •What on earth do you mean by a Bunburyist?	•Jack. •Bunburiste ? •Que diable veux-tu dire par Bunburiste ?
•Algernon. •I’ll reveal to you the meaning of that incomparable expression as soon as you are kind enough to inform me why you are Ernest in town and Jack in the country.	•Algernon. •Je te révèlerai la signification de cette expression sans pareille dès que tu auras eu l'amabilité de m'apprendre pourquoi tu t'appelles Constant en ville et Jack à la campagne.
•Jack. •Well, produce my cigarette case first.	•Jack. •Eh bien, montre-moi d'abord mon étui à cigarettes.
•Algernon. •Here it is. •[Hands cigarette case]. •Now produce your explanation, and pray make it improbable. •[Sits on sofa].	•Algernon. •Le voici. •[Il lui tend l'étui à cigarettes]. •Maintenant donne-moi ton explication et rends-la improbable, je te prie. •[Il s'assied dans le canapé].
•Jack. •My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation at all. •In fact it’s perfectly ordinary. •Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew. •Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.	•Jack. •Mon cher ami, il n'y a rien du tout d'invraisemblable dans mon explication. •En fait, elle est parfaitement normale. •L'ancien M. Thomas Cardew, qui m'a adopté quand j'étais un petit garçon, m'a désigné dans son testament comme tuteur de sa petite-fille, Mlle Cecily Cardew. •Cecily, qui s'adresse à moi comme à son oncle pour des motifs de respect que vous ne pourriez sans doute pas apprécier, vit chez moi à la campagne sous la responsabilité de son admirable gouvernante, Miss Prism.
•Algernon. •Where is that place in the country, by the way?	•Algernon. •Où est ce lieu dans la campagne, en passant?
•Jack. •That is nothing to you, dear boy. •You are not going to be invited . •. •. •I may tell you candidly that the place is not in Shropshire.	•Jack. •Ce n'est rien pour toi, mon cher garçon. •Tu ne seras pas pas invité. •. •. •Je peux vous dire franchement que l'endroit n'est pas au Shropshire.
•Algernon. •I suspected that, my dear fellow! •I have Bunburyed all over Shropshire on two separate occasions. •Now, go on. •Why are you Ernest in town and Jack in the country?	•Algernon. •Je soupçonnais cela, mon cher ami! •J'ai Bunburisé dans tout le Shropshire en deux occasions différentes. •Alors, continue. •Pourquoi es-tu Constant à la ville et Jack à la campagne ?
•Jack. •My dear Algy, I don’t know whether you will be able to understand my real motives. •You are hardly serious enough. •When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects. •It’s one’s duty to do so. •And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce very much to either one’s health or one’s happiness, in order to get up to town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes. •That, my dear Algy, is the whole truth pure and simple.	•Jack. •Mon cher Algy, j'ignore si tu es capable de comprendre mes vraies raisons. •Tu n'es pas assez sérieux. •Quand on se trouve dans la fonction de tuteur, on se doit d'adopter une attitude hautement morale dans tous les sujets. •C'est une obligation d'agir ainsi. •Et comme on peut difficilement dire qu'un ton moral élevé favorise la santé ou le bonheur, et afin de pouvoir me rendre en ville, j'ai toujours prétendu avoir un frère cadet du nom de Constant, qui vit à Albany, et qui se retrouve toujours dans les pires ennuis. •Voilà, mon cher Algy, c'est toute la vérité pure et simple.
•Algernon. •The truth is rarely pure and never simple. •Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!	•Algernon. •La vérité est rarement pure et n'est jamais simple. •La vie moderne serait tiède si elle l'était, et la littérature moderne une totale impossibilité !
•Jack. •That wouldn’t be at all a bad thing.	•Jack. •Ce ne serait pas du tout mauvais.
•Algernon. •Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. •Don’t try it. •You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University. •They do it so well in the daily papers. •What you really are is a Bunburyist. •I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist. •You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know.	•Algernon. •La critique littéraire n'est pas ton point fort, mon cher ami. •Ne t'y frotte pas. •Tu devrais laisser cela aux types qui n'ont pas été à l'université.* •Ils le font si bien dans les journaux quotidiens. •Ce que tu es vraiment, c'est un Bunburiste. •J'avais tout à fait raison en disant que tu es un Bunburiste. •Tu es l'un des Bunburistes les plus avancés que je connaisse.
•Jack. •What on earth do you mean?	•Jack. •Mais que diable veux-tu dire ?
•Algernon. •You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. •I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. •Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. •If it wasn’t for Bunbury’s extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn’t be able to dine with you at Willis’s to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.	•Algernon. •Tu as inventé un jeune frère très utile du nom d'Ernest afin de pouvoir monter en ville aussi souvent que tu le souhaites. •J'ai inventé un invalide à vie d'une valeur inestimable appelé Bunburry afin de pouvoir descendre à la campagne quand je l'ai décidé. •La valeur de Bunbury est incommensurable. •Sans la santé extraordinairement mauvaise de Bunbury, par exemple, je n'aurais pas pu souper avec toi ce soir à Willis car j'ai des engagements auprès de tante Augusta pendant une semaine au moins.
•Jack. •I haven’t asked you to dine with me anywhere to-night.	•Jack. •Je ne t'ai pas demandé de diner quelque part avec moi ce soir.
•Algernon. •I know. •You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations. •It is very foolish of you. •Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.	•Algernon. •Je le sais. •Tu es incroyablement négligent quant à l'envoi des invitations. •C'est très insensé de ta part. •Rien n'agace plus les gens que de ne pas recevoir d'invitations.
•Jack. •You had much better dine with your Aunt Augusta.	•Jack. •Tu aurais mieux fait de diner avec ta tante Augusta.*
•Algernon. •I haven’t the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind. •To begin with, I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one’s own relations. •In the second place, whenever I do dine there I am always treated as a member of the family, and sent down with either no woman at all, or two. •In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to, to-night. •She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. •That is not very pleasant. •Indeed, it is not even decent . •. •. •and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. •The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. •It looks so bad. •It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public. •Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. •I want to tell you the rules.	•Algernon. •Je n'ai pas la moindre intention de faire quoique ce soit de ce genre. •Tout d'abord, j'ai diné lundi chez elle et diner une fois par semaine avec ses propres relations est tout à fait suffisant.* •Deuxièmement à chaque fois que je dine là-bas, je suis toujours traité comme un membre de la famille et condamné à n'avoir aucune compagnie féminine, ou deux. •Troisièmement, je sais parfaitement bien auprès de qui elle me placera ce soir. •Elle me placera à côté de Mary Farquhar qui flirte toujours avec son propre mari à l'autre bout de la table du diner. •Ce n'est pas très agréable. •En fait, ce n'est même pas décent. •. •. •et ce genre de chose arrive de plus en plus fréquemment. •Le nombre de femmes à Londres qui flirtent avec leurs propres maris est parfaitement scandaleux. •C'est tellement déplacé. •Cela revient tout simplement à laver son linge propre en public. •De plus, maintenant que je sais que tu es un Bunburiste confirmé, je veux naturellement t'entretenir de Bunburisme. •Je veux te dire qu'elles en sont les règles.
•Jack. •I’m not a Bunburyist at all. •If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my brother, indeed I think I’ll kill him in any case. •Cecily is a little too much interested in him. •It is rather a bore. •So I am going to get rid of Ernest. •And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr. . •. •. •with your invalid friend who has the absurd name.	•Jack. •Je ne suis pas du tout un Bunburiste. •Si Gwendolen m'accepte, je vais tuer mon frère, en effet, je pense que je vais le tuer en tout cas. •Cecily s'intéresse un petit peu trop à lui. •C'est plutôt ennuyeux.* •Je vais donc me débarrasser de Constant. •Et je te conseille vivement de faire de même avec M.. •. •. •avec votre ami invalide qui a ce nom absurde.*
•Algernon. •Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. •A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.	•Algernon. •Rien ne m'induira de me séparer de Bunbury, et si jamais tu te maries, ce qui me semble extrêmement problématique, tu seras bien content de connaître Bunbury. •Pour un homme qui se marie sans connaître Bunbury, c'est une expérience très fastidieuse.
•Jack. •That is nonsense. •If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won’t want to know Bunbury.	•Jack. •C'est une absurdité. •Si je me marie avec une fille charmante comme Gwendolen, et elle est la seule fille que j'ai jamais vue de ma vie que je voudrais épouser, je ne voudrais certainement pas connaître Bunbury.*
•Algernon. •Then your wife will. •You don’t seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none.	•Algernon. •Alors ta femme le fera.* •Tu ne sembles pas te rendre compte que, dans la vie conjugale, trois c'est bien et deux ce n'est rien.*
•Jack. •[Sententiously.] •That, my dear young friend, is the theory that the corrupt French Drama has been propounding for the last fifty years.	•Jack. •[d'un ton sentencieux.] •Ça, mon jeune et cher ami, c'est la théorie que le théâtre français perverti soutient depuis les quinze dernières années.
•Algernon. •Yes; and that the happy English home has proved in half the time.	•Algernon. •Oui, et le foyer anglais heureux l'a démontré pendant la moitié du temps.
•Jack. •For heaven’s sake, don’t try to be cynical. •It’s perfectly easy to be cynical.	•Jack. •Pour l'amour de Dieu, n'essaie pas d'être cynique. •C'est très facile d'être cynique.
•Algernon. •My dear fellow, it isn’t easy to be anything nowadays. •There’s such a lot of beastly competition about. •[The sound of an electric bell is heard]. •Ah! •that must be Aunt Augusta. •Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that Wagnerian manner. •Now, if I get her out of the way for ten minutes, so that you can have an opportunity for proposing to Gwendolen, may I dine with you to-night at Willis’s?	•Algernon. •Mon cher ami, il n'est pas facile d'être quoi que ce soit de nos jours. •Il y a une telle compétition effrénée. •[On entend le tintement de la sonnette électrique]. •Ah ! •Ce doit être Tante Augusta. •Seuls les membres de la famille ou les créanciers sonnent de cette façon wagnérienne. •Alors, Si je parviens à l'éloigner pour que tu puisses demander Gwendolen en mariage, pourrais-je diner avec toi ce soir chez Willis ?
•Jack. •I suppose so, if you want to.	•Jack. •Je le suppose, si tu veux.
•Algernon. •Yes, but you must be serious about it. •I hate people who are not serious about meals. •It is so shallow of them.	•Algernon. •Oui, mais tu dois être sérieux pour ça. •Je déteste les gens qui ne prennent pas les repas au sérieux. •C'est tellement superficiel de leur part.
•[Enter Lane].	•[Lane entre].
•Lane. •Lady Bracknell and Miss Fairfax.	•Lane. •Lady Bracknell et Miss Fairfax.
•[Algernon goes forward to meet them. •Enter Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen].	•[Algernon s'avance pour les rencontrer. •Lady Bracknell et Gwendolen entrent].
•Lady Bracknell. •Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well.	•Lady Bracknell. •Bon après-midi, mon cher Algernon, j'espère que tu te conduises bien.
•Algernon. •I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta.	•Algernon. •Je me porte très bien, tante Augusta.
•Lady Bracknell. •That’s not quite the same thing. •In fact the two things rarely go together. •[Sees Jack and bows to him with icy coldness].	•Lady Bracknell. •Ce n'est pas vraiment la même chose.* •En fait les deux choses vont rarement ensemble. •[Elle regarde Jack et s'incline vers lui avec une froideur glaciale].
•Algernon. •[To Gwendolen]. •Dear me, you are smart!	•Algernon. •[À Gwendolen]. •Ma chère, comme tu es élégante !
•Gwendolen. •I am always smart! •Am I not, Mr. Worthing?	•Gwendolen. •Je suis toujours élégante ! •N'est-ce pas, M. Worthing ?
•Jack. •You’re quite perfect, Miss Fairfax.	•Jack. •Vous êtes tout à fait parfaite, Miss Fairfax.*
•Gwendolen. •Oh! •I hope I am not that. •It would leave no room for developments, and I intend to develop in many directions. •[Gwendolen and Jack sit down together in the corner].	•Gwendolen. •Oh ! •J'espère que je ne le suis pas. •Cela ne laisserait aucune place aux développements, et j'ai l'intention de me développer dans de nombreuses directions. •[Gwendolen et Jack s'assoient ensemble dans le coin].
•Lady Bracknell. •I’m sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady Harbury. •I hadn’t been there since her poor husband’s death. •I never saw a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger. •And now I’ll have a cup of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised me.	•Lady Bracknell. •Je suis désolée si nous sommes un peu en retard, Algernon, mais j'ai été obligée de passer chez Lady Harbury. •Je n'avais pas été là depuis la mort de son pauvre mari. •Je n'ai jamais vu une femme aussi altérée ; elle a l'air d'avoir vingt ans de moins. •Et maintenant, je vais prendre une tasse de thé, et un de ces délicieux sandwichs aux concombres que tu m'as promis.
•Algernon. •Certainly, Aunt Augusta. •[Goes over to tea-table].	•Algernon. •Bien sûr, Tante Augusta. •[Il va vers la table du thé].
•Lady Bracknell. •Won’t you come and sit here, Gwendolen?	•Lady Bracknell. •Ne veux-tu pas venir t'asseoir ici, Gwendolen ?
•Gwendolen. •Thanks, mamma, I’m quite comfortable where I am.	•Gwendolen. •Merci, maman, je suis très bien là où je suis.
•Algernon. •[Picking up empty plate in horror]. •Good heavens! •Lane! •Why are there no cucumber sandwiches? •I ordered them specially.	•Algernon. •[Prenant l'assiette vide avec horreur]. •Dieu du ciel ! •Lane ! •Pourquoi n'y a-t-il pas de sandwichs au concombre ? •Je les ai commandés spécialement.
•Lane. •[Gravely]. •There were no cucumbers in the market this morning, sir. •I went down twice.	•Lane. •[Gravement]. •Il n'y avait pas de concombre au marché ce matin, monsieur. •J'y suis allé deux fois.
•Algernon. •No cucumbers!	•Algernon. •Pas de concombres !
•Lane. •No, sir. •Not even for ready money.	•Lane. •Non, monsieur. •Pas même en payant comptant.
•Algernon. •That will do, Lane, thank you.	•Algernon. •Cela ira, Lane, merci.
•Lane. •Thank you, sir. •[Goes out].	•Lane. •Merci, monsieur. •[Lane sort].
•Algernon. •I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even for ready money.	•Algernon. •Je suis très affligé, tante Augusta, qu'il n'y ait pas de concombres, pas même contre argent comptant.
•Lady Bracknell. •It really makes no matter, Algernon. •I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now.	•Lady Bracknell. •Ce n'est vraiment pas grave, Algernon. •J'ai eu des muffins chez Lady Harbury qui me semble se consacrer entièrement au plaisir maintenant.
•Algernon. •I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief.	•Algernon. •J'ai entendu que de chagrin ses cheveux ont viré au blond.
•Lady Bracknell. •It certainly has changed its colour. •From what cause I, of course, cannot say. •[Algernon crosses and hands tea]. •Thank you. •I’ve quite a treat for you to-night, Algernon. •I am going to send you down with Mary Farquhar. •She is such a nice woman, and so attentive to her husband. •It’s delightful to watch them.	•Lady Bracknell. •Ils ont certainement changé sa couleur. •Pourquoi? Je ne peux le dire, bien sûr. •[Algernon le croise et lui tend du thé]. •Merci. •J'ai une vraie surprise pour toi ce soir, Algernon. •Je vais te placer avec Mary Farquhar. •C'est une femme si sympathique et si attentive à son mari. •C'est charmant de les regarder.
•Algernon. •I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have to give up the pleasure of dining with you to-night after all.	•Algernon. •J'ai peur, tante Augusta, de devoir renoncer au plaisir de diner avec vous ce soir, après tout.
•Lady Bracknell. •[Frowning]. •I hope not, Algernon. •It would put my table completely out. •Your uncle would have to dine upstairs. •Fortunately he is accustomed to that.	•Lady Bracknell. •[Renfrogné]. •J'espère que non, Algernon. •Cela désorganiserait complètement ma table. •Ton oncle serait obligé dîner à l'étage. •Heureusement, il en a l'habitude.*
•Algernon. •It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. •[Exchanges glances with Jack]. •They seem to think I should be with him.	•Algernon. •Il n'y a rien de plus ennuyeux, et je n'ai pas besoin de le dire une terrible déception pour moi, mais le fait est que je viens de recevoir un télégramme qui dit que mon pauvre ami Bunbury est à nouveau très malade. •[Échange des regards avec Jack]. •Ils semblent penser que je devrais être près de lui.
•Lady Bracknell. •It is very strange. •This Mr. Bunbury seems to suffer from curiously bad health.	•Lady Bracknell. •C'est très étrange. •Ce M. Bunbury semble souffrir d'une curieuse mauvaise santé.
•Algernon. •Yes; poor Bunbury is a dreadful invalid.	•Algernon. •Oui, ce pauvre Bunbury est terriblement malade.
•Lady Bracknell. •Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. •This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. •Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids. •I consider it morbid. •Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. •Health is the primary duty of life. •I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice . •. •. •as far as any improvement in his ailment goes. •I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. •It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.	•Lady Bracknell. •Eh bien, je dois dire Algernon, que je pense qu'il est grand temps que M. Bunbury choisisse s'il va vivre ou mourir. •Ces tergiversations sont absurdes. •D'ailleurs je n'approuve en aucune façon la sympathie moderne envers les invalides. •Je considère que c'est morbide. •La maladie de quelque nature que ce soit n'est pas chose à encourager chez les autres. •La santé est le premier devoir de la vie. •Je dis toujours cela à votre pauvre oncle, mais il ne semble jamais y prêter beaucoup d'attention. •. •. •en ce qui concerne toute amélioration de sa maladie. •Je serais très obligée si tu demandais à M. Bunbury d'avoir la gentillesse de ne pas avoir de rechute samedi, car je comptais sur toi pour organiser à ma place la programmation musicale. •C'est ma dernière réception et on s'attend à quelque chose qui encouragera la conversation, en particulier à la fin de la saison où chacun a pratiquement dit tout ce qu'il avait à dire, ce qui, dans la plupart des cas, n'était probablement pas grand-chose.
•Algernon. •I’ll speak to Bunbury, Aunt Augusta, if he is still conscious, and I think I can promise you he’ll be all right by Saturday. •Of course the music is a great difficulty. •You see, if one plays good music, people don’t listen, and if one plays bad music people don’t talk. •But I’ll run over the programme I’ve drawn out, if you will kindly come into the next room for a moment.	•Algernon. •Je parlerai à Bunbury, Tante Augusta, s'il est toujours conscient, et je pense que je peux vous promettre qu'il sera tout à fait bien samedi. •Bien sûr, la musique est une grande difficulté. •Voyez-vous, si on joue de la bonne musique, les gens n'écoutent pas, et si on joue de la mauvaise musique, les gens ne parlent pas. •Mais je vais parcourir le programme que j'ai prévu, si vous voulez bien entrer dans la pièce à côté pour un moment.
•Lady Bracknell. •Thank you, Algernon. •It is very thoughtful of you. •[Rising, and following Algernon.] •I’m sure the programme will be delightful, after a few expurgations. •French songs I cannot possibly allow. •People always seem to think that they are improper, and either look shocked, which is vulgar, or laugh, which is worse. •But German sounds a thoroughly respectable language, and indeed, I believe is so. •Gwendolen, you will accompany me.	•Lady Bracknell. •Merci, Algernon. •C'est très gentil de ta part. •[Elle se lève et suit Algernon.] •Je suis sûre que le programme sera ravissant, après quelques suppressions. •Des chansons françaises que je ne peux pas tolérer. •Les gens semblent toujours penser qu'elles sont indécentes, et soit ils ont l'air choqué, ce qui est vulgaire, soit ils rient, ce qui est pire. •Mais l'allemand est un langage très respectable et, en fait, je le crois. •Gwendolen, tu vas m'accompagner.
•Gwendolen. •Certainly, mamma.	•Gwendolen. •Mais oui, maman !
•[Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the music-room, Gwendolen remains behind].	•[Lady Bracknell et Algernon entrent dans la salle de musique, Gwendolen reste en arrière].
•Jack. •Charming day it has been, Miss Fairfax.	•Jack. •Quelle charmante journée, Miss Fairfax.
•Gwendolen. •Pray don’t talk to me about the weather, Mr. Worthing. •Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that they mean something else. •And that makes me so nervous.	•Gwendolen. •Je vous en prie, ne me parlez pas du temps, M. Worthing. •Quand les gens me parlent du temps, je suis toujours convaincue qu'ils veulent dire d'autre chose. •Et cela m'exaspère.
•Jack. •I do mean something else.	•Jack. •Je voulais dire autre chose.
•Gwendolen. •I thought so. •In fact, I am never wrong.	•Gwendolen. •Je le pensais bien. •En fait, je ne me trompe jamais.
•Jack. •And I would like to be allowed to take advantage of Lady Bracknell’s temporary absence . •. •.	•Jack. •Et j'aimerais pouvoir profiter de l'absence temporaire de Lady Bracknell. •. •.
•Gwendolen. •I would certainly advise you to do so. •Mamma has a way of coming back suddenly into a room that I have often had to speak to her about.	•Gwendolen. •Je vous conseillerais certainement de le faire. •Maman a une façon si soudaine de revenir dans une pièce que j'ai souvent dû lui en faire la remarque.
•Jack. •[Nervously] Miss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you more than any girl . •. •. •I have ever met since . •. •. •I met you.	•Jack. •[Nerveusement] Miss Fairfax, depuis que je vous ai rencontrée, je vous ai admirée plus que n'importe quelle jeune fille. •. •. •que j'ai rencontrée depuis. •. •. •je vous ai rencontrée.
•Gwendolen. •Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. •And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative. •For me you have always had an irresistible fascination. •Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you. •[Jack looks at her in amazement]. •We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals. •The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. •There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence. •The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.	•Gwendolen. •Oui, j'ai bien remarqué cela. •Et souvent j'aurais souhaité, qu'en public en tout cas, vous soyez plus démonstratif. •Vous avez toujours exercé sur moi une irrésistible fascination. •Même avant de vous rencontrer, vous ne m'étiez pas du tout indifférent. •[Jack la regarde avec stupéfaction]. •Nous vivons M. Worthing, comme j'espère vous le savez, à l'ère des idéaux. •Ce fait est constamment mentionné dans les magazines les plus coûteux, et, d'après ce que l'on m'a dit, a atteint les tribunes provinciales, et mon idéal a toujours été d'aimer quelqu'un qui se prénomme Constant. •Il y a quelque chose dans ce nom qui inspire une confiance absolue. •La première fois qu'Algernon m'a dit qu'il avait un ami du nom de Constant, j'ai su que j'étais destinée à vous aimer.
•Jack. •You really love me, Gwendolen?	•Jack. •Vraiment, vous m'aimez, Gwendolen ?
•Gwendolen. •Passionately!	•Gwendolen. •Passionnément !
•Jack. •Darling! •You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.	•Jack. •Chérie ! •Vous ne savez pas à quel point vous m'avez rendu heureux.
•Gwendolen. •My own Ernest!	•Gwendolen. •Mon Constant à moi !
•Jack. •But you don’t really mean to say that you couldn’t love me if my name wasn’t Ernest?	•Jack. •Mais vous ne voulez pas vraiment dire que vous ne pourriez pas m'aimer si mon nom n'était pas Constant ?
•Gwendolen. •But your name is Ernest.	•Gwendolen. •Mais votre nom est Constant.
•Jack. •Yes, I know it is. •But supposing it was something else? •Do you mean to say you couldn’t love me then?	•Jack. •Oui, je sais. •Mais en supposant que c'était autre chose? •Voulez-vous dire que vous ne pourriez pas m'aimer alors ?
•Gwendolen. •[Glibly]. •Ah! •that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.	•Gwendolen. •[Avec désinvolture]. •Ah ! •Ça c'est clairement une spéculation métaphysique, et comme la plupart des spéculations métaphysiques elles ont très peu de référence aux faits réels de la vie réelle, comme nous les connaissons.
•Jack. •Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don’t much care about the name of Ernest . •. •. •I don’t think the name suits me at all.	•Jack. •Personnellement, ma chérie, pour parler très franchement, je ne m'intéresse pas beaucoup au nom de Constant. •. •. •Je ne pense pas que ce nom m'aille du tout.*
•Gwendolen. •It suits you perfectly. •It is a divine name. •It has a music of its own. •It produces vibrations.	•Gwendolen. •Il vous convient parfaitement. •C'est un nom divin. •Il a sa propre musique. •Il produit des vibrations.
•Jack. •Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names. •I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.	•Jack. •Eh bien, vraiment, Gwendolen, je dois dire que je pense qu'il y a beaucoup d'autres noms beaucoup plus gentils. •Je pense que Jack, par exemple, est un nom charmant.
•Gwendolen. •Jack? •. •. •. •No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. •It does not thrill. •It produces absolutely no vibrations . •. •. •I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. •Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! •And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John. •She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment’s solitude. •The only really safe name is Ernest.	•Gwendolen. •Jack? •. •. •. •Non, il y a très peu de musique dans le nom de Jack, voire même pas du tout. •Ça ne fait pas frissonner. •Ça ne produit absolument aucune vibration. •. •. •J'ai connu plusieurs Jack, et tous, sans exception, étaient plus que quelconques. •D'ailleurs, Jack est un diminutif connu pour John ! •Et je plains toute femme mariée à un homme appelé John. •Il ne lui sera probablement jamais permis de connaître, un seul instant, le plaisir envoûtant de la solitude. •Le seul nom vraiment sûr est Constant.
•Jack. •Gwendolen, I must get christened at once—I mean we must get married at once. •There is no time to be lost.	•Jack. •Gwendolen, je dois être baptisé tout de suite—je veux dire que nous devons nous marier tout de suite. •Il n'y a pas de temps à perdre.
•Gwendolen. •Married, Mr. Worthing?	•Gwendolen. •Nous marier, M. Worthing ?
•Jack. •[Astounded]. •Well . •. •. •surely. •You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.	•Jack. •[Abasourdi]. •Eh bien. •. •. •certainement. •Vous savez que je vous aime, et vous m'avez amené à croire, Miss Fairfax, que je ne vous étais pas absolument indifférent.
•Gwendolen. •I adore you. •But you haven’t proposed to me yet. •Nothing has been said at all about marriage. •The subject has not even been touched on.	•Gwendolen. •Je vous adore. •Mais vous ne m'avez pas encore demandée en mariage. •Rien du tout n'a été dit au sujet d'un mariage. •Le sujet n'a même pas été abordé.
•Jack. •Well . •. •. •may I propose to you now?	•Jack. •Bien. •. •. •Puis-je maintenant vous demander votre main ?
•Gwendolen. •I think it would be an admirable opportunity. •And to spare you any possible disappointment, Mr. Worthing, I think it only fair to tell you quite frankly before-hand that I am fully determined to accept you.	•Gwendolen. •Je pense que ce serait une occasion admirable. •Et pour vous épargner tout désappointement éventuel, M. Worthing, je pense qu'il est juste de vous dire très franchement à l'avance que je suis totalement déterminée à vous épouser.
•Jack. •Gwendolen!	•Jack. •Gwendolen !
•Gwendolen. •Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?	•Gwendolen. •Oui, M. Worthing, qu'avez-vous à me dire ?
•Jack. •You know what I have got to say to you.	•Jack. •Vous savez ce que j'ai à vous dire.
•Gwendolen. •Yes, but you don’t say it.	•Gwendolen. •Oui, mais vous ne l'avez pas dit.
•Jack. •Gwendolen, will you marry me? •[Goes on his knees.]	•Jack. •Gwendolen, voulez-vous m'épouser ? •[Il s'agenouille.]
•Gwendolen. •Of course I will, darling. •How long you have been about it! •I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.	•Gwendolen. •Bien sûr je le veux, mon chéri. •Comme vous avez été long à vous déclarer ! •Je crains que vous n'ayez que peu d'expérience dans les demandes en mariage.
•Jack. •My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.	•Jack. •Ma chérie à moi, je n'ai jamais aimé que vous au monde.
•Gwendolen. •Yes, but men often propose for practice. •I know my brother Gerald does. •All my girl-friends tell me so. •What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! •They are quite, quite, blue. •I hope you will always look at me just like that, especially when there are other people present. •[Enter Lady Bracknell].	•Gwendolen. •Oui, mais souvent les hommes font des demandes en mariage pour s'exercer. •Je sais que mon frère Gérald le fait. •Toutes mes amies m'en parlent. •Quels yeux merveilleusement bleus vous avez, Constant ! •Ils sont vraiment tout à fait bleus. •J'espère que vous allez toujours me regarder comme ça, surtout quand il y a d'autres personnes présentes. •[Entre Lady Bracknell].
•Lady Bracknell. •Mr. Worthing! •Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture. •It is most indecorous.	•Lady Bracknell. •M. Worthing ! •Relevez-vous, monsieur, de cette posture à demi-allongée. •C'est très inconvenant.*
•Gwendolen. •Mamma! •[He tries to rise; she restrains him]. •I must beg you to retire. •This is no place for you. •Besides, Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet.	•Gwendolen. •Maman ! •[Il essaie de se relever; elle le retient]. •Je dois vous prier de vous retirer. •Ce n'est pas une place pour vous. •D'ailleurs, M. Worthing n'a pas encore fini.
•Lady Bracknell. •Finished what, may I ask?	•Lady Bracknell. •Fini quoi, puis-je demander?
•Gwendolen. •I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma. •[They rise together].	•Gwendolen. •Je suis fiancée à M. Worthing, maman. •[Ils se relèvent ensemble].
•Lady Bracknell. •Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. •When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. •An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. •It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself . •. •. •And now I have a few questions to put to you, Mr. Worthing. •While I am making these inquiries, you, Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage.	•Lady Bracknell. •Pardonne-moi, tu n'es fiancée à personne. •Lorsque tu seras fiancée à quelqu'un, ton père, si sa santé le lui permet, ou moi-même t'informerons de la chose. •Des fiançailles devraient venir sur une jeune fille comme une surprise, agréable ou désagréable, selon le cas. •Ce n'est guère une chose qu'elle peut arranger elle-même. •. •. •Et maintenant, j'ai quelques questions à vous poser, monsieur Worthing. •Pendant que je prends ces informations, toi, Gwendolen, tu m'attends en bas dans la voiture.
•Gwendolen. •[Reproachfully]. •Mamma!	•Gwendolen. •[Sur un ton de reproche]. •Maman !
•Lady Bracknell. •In the carriage, Gwendolen! •[Gwendolen goes to the door. •She and Jack blow kisses to each other behind Lady Bracknell’s back. •Lady Bracknell looks vaguely about as if she could not understand what the noise was. •Finally turns round]. •Gwendolen, the carriage!	•Lady Bracknell. •Dans la voiture, Gwendolen ! •[Gwendolen va vers la porte. •Elle et Jack s'envoient des baisers derrière le dos de Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bracknell a l'air un peu confuse comme si elle n'arrivait pas à comprendre d'où provenait ce bruit. •Finalement, elle se retourne]. •Gwendolen, dans la voiture !
•Gwendolen. •Yes, mamma. •[Goes out, looking back at Jack].	•Gwendolen. •Oui, maman. •[Elle sort, regardant Jack].
•Lady Bracknell. •[Sitting down]. •You can take a seat, Mr. Worthing.	•Lady Bracknell. •[s'assoit]. •Vous pouvez vous asseoir, M. Worthing.
•[Looks in her pocket for note-book and pencil].	•[Elle cherche dans sa poche un cahier et un crayon].*
•Jack. •Thank you, Lady Bracknell, I prefer standing.	•Jack. •Merci, Lady Bracknell, je préfère rester debout.
•Lady Bracknell. •[Pencil and note-book in hand]. •I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men, although I have the same list as the dear Duchess of Bolton has. •We work together, in fact. •However, I am quite ready to enter your name, should your answers be what a really affectionate mother requires. •Do you smoke?	•Lady Bracknell. •[Crayon et cahier en main]. •Je suis obligée de vous dire que vous n'êtes pas sur ma liste de jeunes hommes admissibles, bien que j'aie la même liste que la chère duchesse de Bolton. •Nous travaillons ensemble, en fait. •Cependant, je suis tout à fait prête à inscrire votre nom, si vos réponses sont celles qu'une mère vraiment affectueuse exige. •Fumez-vous ?
•Jack. •Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.	•Jack. •Eh bien, oui, je dois admettre que je fume.
•Lady Bracknell. •I am glad to hear it. •A man should always have an occupation of some kind. •There are far too many idle men in London as it is. •How old are you?	•Lady Bracknell. •Je suis heureuse d'entendre cela. •Un homme devrait toujours avoir une occupation de la sorte. •Il y a bien trop d'hommes oisifs à Londres comme ça. •Quel âge avez-vous ?
•Jack. •Twenty-nine.	•Jack. •Vingt-neuf ans.
•Lady Bracknell. •A very good age to be married at. •I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. •Which do you know?	•Lady Bracknell. •Un très bon âge pour se marier. •J'ai toujours pensé qu'un homme qui souhaitait se marier devait tout connaître ou rien du tout. •Que savez-vous ?
•Jack. •[After some hesitation]. •I know nothing, Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bracknell. •I am pleased to hear it. •I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. •Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. •The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. •Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. •If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. •What is your income?	•Jack. •[Après quelque hésitation]. •Je ne sais rien, Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bracknell. •Je suis heureuse de l'entendre. •Je désapprouve tout ce qui corrompt l'ignorance naturelle. •L'ignorance est comme un fruit exotique délicat, touchez-le et il se flétrit. •Toute la théorie sur l'éducation moderne est complètement insensée. •Heureusement en Angleterre, en tout cas, l'éducation ne produit aucun effet. •Si c'était le cas, cela ferait courir un grand danger aux classes supérieures et mènerait probablement à des actes de violence dans Grosvenor Square. •Quels sont vos revenus ?
•Jack. •Between seven and eight thousand a year.	•Jack. •Entre sept et huit mille par an.
•Lady Bracknell. •[Makes a note in her book]. •In land, or in investments?	•Lady Bracknell. •[Écrit dans son carnet]. •Revenus fonciers ou investissements ?
•Jack. •In investments, chiefly.	•Jack. •Majoritairement en placements.
•Lady Bracknell. •That is satisfactory. •What between the duties expected of one during one’s lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one’s death, land has ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure. •It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up. •That’s all that can be said about land.	•Lady Bracknell. •C'est satisfaisant. •Entre les taxes que vous devez payer tout au long de votre vie et celles qui sont exigées à votre mort, le foncier a cessé d'être un profit ou un plaisir. •Cela vous donne une position, mais vous empêche de la tenir. •C'est tout ce que l'on peut dire au sujet du foncier.
•Jack. •I have a country house with some land, of course, attached to it, about fifteen hundred acres, I believe; but I don’t depend on that for my real income. •In fact, as far as I can make out, the poachers are the only people who make anything out of it.	•Jack. •J'ai une maison de campagne avec, bien sûr, quelques terres qui s'y rattachent, environ quinze cents acres, je pense, mais je ne la compte pas dans mes revenus réels. •D'ailleurs, autant que je sache, seuls les braconniers en tirent quelque chose.
•Lady Bracknell. •A country house! •How many bedrooms? •Well, that point can be cleared up afterwards. •You have a town house, I hope? •A girl with a simple, unspoiled nature, like Gwendolen, could hardly be expected to reside in the country.	•Lady Bracknell. •Une maison de campagne ! •Combien de chambres ? •Eh bien, ce point pourra être éclairci ultérieurement ! •J'espère que vous avez une maison en ville. •Il est à peine envisageable qu'une jeune fille d'une nature aussi simple et pure que Gwendolen puisse vivre à la campagne.
•Jack. •Well, I own a house in Belgrave Square, but it is let by the year to Lady Bloxham. •Of course, I can get it back whenever I like, at six months’ notice.	•Jack. •Eh bien, je possède une maison à Belgrave square, mais elle est louée à l'année à Lady Bloxham. •Bien sûr, je peux la récupérer quand je le désire, avec un préavis de six mois.
•Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bloxham? •I don’t know her.	•Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bloxham ? •Je ne la connais pas.
•Jack. •Oh, she goes about very little. •She is a lady considerably advanced in years.	•Jack. •Oh, elle sort très peu. •C'est une dame d'un âge avancé.
•Lady Bracknell. •Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character. •What number in Belgrave Square?	•Lady Bracknell. •Ah, de nos jours, ce n'est plus un gage de respectabilité. •Quel numéro à Belgrave Square ?
•Jack. •149.	•Jack. •149.
•Lady Bracknell. •[Shaking her head]. •The unfashionable side. •I thought there was something. •However, that could easily be altered.	•Lady Bracknell. •[Hochant la tête]. •Le côté démodé. •Je pensais qu'il y avait quelque chose. •Cependant, cela pourrait facilement être modifié.
•Jack. •Do you mean the fashion, or the side?	•Jack. •Voulez-vous dire la mode, ou le côté?
•Lady Bracknell. •[Sternly]. •Both, if necessary, I presume. •What are your politics?	•Lady Bracknell. •[Sérieusement]. •Les deux, s'il le faut, je présume. •Quelles sont vos opinions politiques ?
•Jack. •Well, I am afraid I really have none. •I am a Liberal Unionist.	•Jack. •Bien, je crains que je n'en aie vraiment aucune. * •Je suis un Libéral Unioniste.
•Lady Bracknell. •Oh, they count as Tories. •They dine with us. •Or come in the evening, at any rate. •Now to minor matters. •Are your parents living?	•Lady Bracknell. •Oh, ils sont comme les Tories. •Ils dînent avec nous. •Ou viennent le soir, en tout cas. •Maintenant des questions mineures. •Vos parents sont-ils vivants ?
•Jack. •I have lost both my parents.	•Jack. •J'ai perdu mes deux parents.
•Lady Bracknell. •To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. •Who was your father? •He was evidently a man of some wealth. •Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?	•Lady Bracknell. •Perdre un parent, Monsieur Worthing, peut être considéré comme un malheur, perdre les deux, cela ressemble à de la négligence. •Qui était votre père ? •C'était de toute évidence une personne fortunée. •Est-il né dans ce que les journaux de gauche appellent une dynastie de commerçants fortunés ou est-il issu de l'aristocratie ?
•Jack. •I am afraid I really don’t know. •The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents. •It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to have lost me . •. •. •I don’t actually know who I am by birth. •I was . •. •. •well, I was found.	•Jack. •Je crains de ne pas le savoir exactement. •En fait, Lady Bracknell, je vous ai dit que j'avais perdu mes parents. •Il serait plus juste de dire que ce sont mes parents qui semblent m'avoir perdu. •. •. •En réalité, j'ignore tout de ma filiation. •J'ai été. •. •. •eh bien, j'ai été trouvé.
•Lady Bracknell. •Found!	•Lady Bracknell. •Trouvé !
•Jack. •The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the time. •Worthing is a place in Sussex. •It is a seaside resort.	•Jack. •Feu Monsieur Thomas Cardew, un vieux gentleman à l'attitude très charitable et bienveillante, m'a trouvé et donné le nom de Worthing car il se trouve qu'il avait ce jour-là dans sa poche un billet de première classe pour Worthing. •Worthing est un endroit dans le Sussex. •C'est une station balnéaire.
•Lady Bracknell. •Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this seaside resort find you?	•Lady Bracknell. •Où ce charitable gentleman qui avait un billet de première classe pour cette station balnéaire vous a-t-il trouvé ?
•Jack. •[Gravely]. •In a hand-bag.	•Jack. •[Gravement]. •Dans un sac.
•Lady Bracknell. •A hand-bag?	•Lady Bracknell. •Un sac ?
•Jack. •[Very seriously]. •Yes, Lady Bracknell. •I was in a hand-bag—a somewhat large, black leather hand-bag, with handles to it—an ordinary hand-bag in fact.	•Jack. •[Très sérieusement]. •Oui, Lady Bracknell. •J'étais dans un sac, un sac assez grand en cuir noir, avec des poignées, un sac ordinaire, en fait.
•Lady Bracknell. •In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag?	•Lady Bracknell. •Et en quel lieu ce Monsieur James ou Thomas Cardew est-il tombé sur ce sac ordinaire ?
•Jack. •In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. •It was given to him in mistake for his own.	•Jack. •À la consigne de la gare Victoria. •Il lui a été remis par erreur à la place du sien.
•Lady Bracknell. •The cloak-room at Victoria Station?	•Lady Bracknell. •La consigne de la gare Victoria ?
•Jack. •Yes. •The Brighton line.	•Jack. •Oui. •Sur le ligne de Brighton.
•Lady Bracknell. •The line is immaterial. •Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. •To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. •And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to? •As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social indiscretion—has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before now—but it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position in good society.	•Lady Bracknell. •La ligne m'importe peu. •Monsieur Worthing, je dois vous dire que ce que vous venez de me raconter me laisse quelque peu perplexe. •D'être né ou, en tout cas, d'avoir été placé dans un sac, avec poignées ou sans, me semble indiquer un mépris total des convenances de l'éducation familiale qui rappelle les pires excès de la Révolution française. •Et je suppose que vous savez à quoi cette malheureuse révolution a mené ? •Quant à la localité particulière dans laquelle le sac fut trouvé, une consigne dans une gare pourrait servir à cacher une indiscretion sociale—fut probablement utilisée à cette fin auparavant—mais elle ne pouvait guère être considérée comme une base assurée pour une position reconnue dans la bonne société.
•Jack. •May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? •I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s happiness.	•Jack. •Puis-je vous demander ce que vous me recommandez de faire ? •J'ai à peine besoin dire que je ferais n'importe quoi dans le monde pour assurer le bonheur de Gwendolen.
•Lady Bracknell. •I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.	•Lady Bracknell. •Je vous conseillerais fortement, monsieur Worthing, d'essayer d'acquérir des relations le plus tôt possible et de faire un effort définitif pour produire, en tout cas, un parent, de l'un ou l'autre sexe, avant que la saison ne soit terminée.
•Jack. •Well, I don’t see how I could possibly manage to do that. •I can produce the hand-bag at any moment. •It is in my dressing-room at home. •I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bracknell. •Me, sir! •What has it to do with me? •You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter—a girl brought up with the utmost care—to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? •Good morning, Mr. Worthing!	•Jack. •Eh bien, je ne vois pas comment je pourrais réussir à le faire. •Je peux produire le sac à tout moment. •Il est dans ma garde-robe à la maison. •Je pense vraiment que cela devrait vous satisfaire, Lady Bracknell. •Lady Bracknell. •Moi, monsieur ! •Qu'est-ce que cela a à voir avec moi? •Vous ne songez pas que Lord Bracknell et moi-même puissions rêver d'accorder à notre fille unique, élevée dans le plus grand soin, de se marier dans une consigne et de faire alliance avec un colis ? •Au revoir, Monsieur Worthing !
•[Lady Bracknell sweeps out in majestic indignation].	•[Lady Bracknell se retire dans une indignation majestueuse].
•Jack. •Good morning! •[Algernon, from the other room, strikes up the Wedding March. •Jack looks perfectly furious, and goes to the door]. •For goodness’ sake don’t play that ghastly tune, Algy. •How idiotic you are!	•Jack. •Bonne journée ! •[Algernon, dans l'autre pièce, joue la Marche Nuptiale. •Jack a l'air parfaitement furieux, et va jusqu'à la porte]. •Pour l'amour de Dieu, ne joue pas cette mélodie horrible, Algy. •Comme tu es idiot!
•[The music stops and Algernon enters cheerily].	•[La musique s'arrête et Algernon entre joyeusement].
•Algernon. •Didn’t it go off all right, old boy? •You don’t mean to say Gwendolen refused you? •I know it is a way she has. •She is always refusing people. •I think it is most ill-natured of her.	•Algernon. •Est-ce que ça ne s'est pas bien passé, mon vieux? •Tu ne veux pas dire que Gwendolen a refusé ta demande ? •Je sais qu'elle est comme ça. •Elle éconduit toujours les gens. •Je pense que c'est tout à fait maladif chez elle.
•Jack. •Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. •As far as she is concerned, we are engaged. •Her mother is perfectly unbearable. •Never met such a Gorgon . •. •. •I don’t really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one. •In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is rather unfair . •. •. •I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn’t talk about your own aunt in that way before you.	•Jack. •Oh, Gwendolen va tout à fait bien. •En ce qui la concerne nous sommes fiancés. •Sa mère est parfaitement insupportable. •Je n'ai jamais rencontré une telle Gorgone. •. •. •Je ne sais pas vraiment à quoi ressemble une Gorgone, mais je suis tout à fait certain que Lady Bracknell en est une. •En tout cas, c'est un monstre, sans être un mythe, ce qui est plutôt injuste.* •. •. •Pardonne-moi, Algy, je suppose que je ne devrais pas parler comme ça devant toi de ta propre tante.
•Algernon. •My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused. •It is the only thing that makes me put up with them at all. •Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.	•Algernon. •Mon cher garçon, j'aime entendre dire du mal de ma famille. •C'est la seule chose qui me permette de les supporter. * •Les relations sont tout simplement un groupe fastidieux de gens, qui n'ont pas la connaissance la plus éloignée de la façon de vivre, ni le moindre instinct quand mourir.
•Jack. •Oh, that is nonsense!	•Jack. •Oh, c'est une bêtise !
•Algernon. •It isn’t!	•Algernon. •Ce n'est pas le cas !
•Jack. •Well, I won’t argue about the matter. •You always want to argue about things.	•Jack. •Eh bien, je ne discuterai pas de ça. •Tu veux toujours discuter des choses.
•Algernon. •That is exactly what things were originally made for.	•Algernon. •C'est exactement ce pour quoi les choses ont été faites. *
•Jack. •Upon my word, if I thought that, I’d shoot myself . •. •. •[A pause]. •You don’t think there is any chance of Gwendolen becoming like her mother in about a hundred and fifty years, do you, Algy?	•Jack. •Ma parole, si je pensais cela, je me tuerais. •. •. •[Une pause]. •Tu ne penses pas qu'il y ait une chance pour Gwendolen de devenir comme sa mère dans environ cent cinquante ans, n'est-ce pas, Algy ?
•Algernon. •All women become like their mothers. •That is their tragedy. •No man does. •That’s his.	•Algernon. •Toutes les femmes deviennent comme leurs mères. •C'est leur tragédie. •Ça n'arrive pas aux hommes. •C'est la leur.
•Jack. •Is that clever?	•Jack. •Est-ce intelligent ?
•Algernon. •It is perfectly phrased! •and quite as true as any observation in civilised life should be.	•Algernon. •C'est parfaitement formulé ! •et tout aussi vrai que pourrait l'être n'importe quelle observation dans la vie civilisée.
•Jack. •I am sick to death of cleverness. •Everybody is clever nowadays. •You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people. •The thing has become an absolute public nuisance. •I wish to goodness we had a few fools left.	•Jack. •J'en ai marre de l'intelligence. •Tout le monde est intelligent aujourd'hui. •Tu ne peux pas aller nulle part sans rencontrer des gens intelligents. •C'est devenu une nuisance publique absolue. * •Pour l'amour de Dieu, je souhaite que nous ayons encore quelques imbéciles.
•Algernon. •We have.	•Algernon. •Nous en avons.
•Jack. •I should extremely like to meet them. •What do they talk about?	•Jack. •Je serais ravi de les rencontrer. •De quoi parlent-ils ?
•Algernon. •The fools? •Oh! •about the clever people, of course.	•Algernon. •Les idiots ? •Oh ! •des gens intelligents, naturellement.
•Jack. •What fools!	•Jack. •Quels idiots !
•Algernon. •By the way, did you tell Gwendolen the truth about your being Ernest in town, and Jack in the country?	•Algernon. •À propos, as-tu dit à Gwendolen la vérité sur ton identité, que tu es Constant en ville, et Jack à la campagne.
•Jack. •[In a very patronising manner]. •My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl. •What extraordinary ideas you have about the way to behave to a woman!	•Jack. •[De manière très condescendante]. •Mon cher ami, la vérité n'est pas tout à fait le genre de chose que l'on dit à une jeune fille, douce et raffinée. •Quelles idées extraordinaires tu as sur la façon de se comporter avec une femme ! *
•Algernon. •The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to some one else, if she is plain.	•Algernon. •Le seul moyen de se comporter avec une femme est de faire l'amour avec elle, si elle est jolie, et avec quelqu'un d'autre, si elle est laide.*
•Jack. •Oh, that is nonsense.	•Jack. •Oh, c'est une absurdité.
•Algernon. •What about your brother? •What about the profligate Ernest?	•Algernon. •Qu'en est-il de ton frère ? •Que devient ce libertin de Constant ?
•Jack. •Oh, before the end of the week I shall have got rid of him. •I’ll say he died in Paris of apoplexy. •Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don’t they?	•Jack. •Oh, avant la fin de la semaine, je me serai débarrassé de lui.* •Je dirai qu'il est mort à Paris d'apoplexie. •Beaucoup de gens meurent d'apoplexie, tout à coup, n'est-ce pas ?
•Algernon. •Yes, but it’s hereditary, my dear fellow. •It’s a sort of thing that runs in families. •You had much better say a severe chill.	•Algernon. •Oui, mais c'est héréditaire, mon cher ami. •C'est une sorte de chose qui frappe certaines familles. •Tu ferais mieux de parler d'un refroidissement.
•Jack. •You are sure a severe chill isn’t hereditary, or anything of that kind?	•Jack. •Es-tu sûr qu'un refroidissement ne soit pas héréditaire, ou quelque chose d'autre dans le genre ?
•Algernon. •Of course it isn’t!	•Algernon. •Bien sûr que non !
•Jack. •Very well, then. •My poor brother Ernest to carried off suddenly, in Paris, by a severe chill. •That gets rid of him.	•Jack. •Alors, c'est très bien. •Mon pauvre frère Ernest a soudainement été emporté par un refroidissement à Paris. •M'en voilà débarrassé.
•Algernon. •But I thought you said that . •. •. •Miss Cardew was a little too much interested in your poor brother Ernest? •Won’t she feel his loss a good deal?	•Algernon. •Mais je pensais que tu avais dit que. •. •. •Miss Cardew était un peu trop intéressée par ton pauvre frère Constant ? •Va-t-elle ressentir sa mort comme une bonne chose ?
•Jack. •Oh, that is all right. •Cecily is not a silly romantic girl, I am glad to say. •She has got a capital appetite, goes long walks, and pays no attention at all to her lessons.	•Jack. •Oh, ça va aller. •Je me réjouis que Cecily ne soit pas une de ces sottes jeunes filles romantiques. •Elle a bon appétit, fait de longues promenades et ne prête aucune attention à ses leçons.
•Algernon. •I would rather like to see Cecily.	•Algernon. •J'aimerais bien rencontrer Cecily.
•Jack. •I will take very good care you never do. •She is excessively pretty, and she is only just eighteen.	•Jack. •Je vais faire très attention à ce que cela n'arrive pas. •Elle est extrêmement belle et elle n'a que dix-huit ans.
•Algernon. •Have you told Gwendolen yet that you have an excessively pretty ward who is only just eighteen?	•Algernon. •As-tu déjà dit à Gwendolen que tu avais une ravissante pupille d'à peine dix-huit ans ?
•Jack. •Oh! •one doesn’t blurt these things out to people. •Cecily and Gwendolen are perfectly certain to be extremely great friends. •I’ll bet you anything you like that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister.	•Jack. •Oh ! •Il ne faut pas divulguer ce genre de choses. •Il est absolument certain que Cecily et Gwendolen feraient de grandes amies. •Je te parie ce que tu veux qu'une demi-heure après leur rencontre, elles s’appelleraient sœurs.
•Algernon. •Women only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things first. •Now, my dear boy, if we want to get a good table at Willis’s, we really must go and dress. •Do you know it is nearly seven?	•Algernon. •Les femmes ne font ça que lorsque d'abord elles se sont appelées beaucoup d'autres noms. •Maintenant, mon cher garçon, si nous voulons avoir une bonne table chez Willis, nous devons vraiment aller nous habiller.* •Sais-tu qu'il est presque sept heures ?
•Jack. •[Irritably]. •Oh! •It always is nearly seven.	•Jack. •[Irrité]. •Oh ! •Il est toujours presque sept heures.
•Algernon. •Well, I’m hungry.	•Algernon. •Eh bien, j'ai faim.
•Jack. •I never knew you when you weren’t . •. •.	•Jack. •Je ne t'ai jamais connu quand tu n'étais pas. •. •.
•Algernon. •What shall we do after dinner? •Go to a theatre?	•Algernon. •Que ferons-nous après le diner ? •Aller au théâtre ?
•Jack. •Oh no! •I loathe listening.	•Jack. •Oh non ! •Je déteste écouter.
•Algernon. •Well, let us go to the Club?	•Algernon. •Eh bien, allons au Club ?
•Jack. •Oh, no! •I hate talking.	•Jack. •Oh, non ! •Je déteste parler.
•Algernon. •Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?	•Algernon. •Eh bien, on pourrait se rendre à l'Empire à dix heures?
•Jack. •Oh, no! •I can’t bear looking at things. •It is so silly.	•Jack. •Oh, non ! •Je ne peux pas supporter de regarder les choses. •C'est tellement idiot.
•Algernon. •Well, what shall we do?	•Algernon. •Alors, qu'allons-nous faire ? *
•Jack. •Nothing!	•Jack. •Rien !
•Algernon. •It is awfully hard work doing nothing. •However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.	•Algernon. •C'est un travail terriblement dur de ne rien faire ! •Cependant, un dur travail ne me dérange pas où il n'y a aucun objet défini d'aucune sorte.
•[Enter Lane].	•[Lane entre].
•Lane. •Miss Fairfax.	•Lane. •Mademoiselle Fairfax.
•[Enter Gwendolen. •Lane goes out].	•[Gwendolen entre. •Lane sort].
•Algernon. •Gwendolen, upon my word!	•Algernon. •Gwendolen, ma parole !
•Gwendolen. •Algy, kindly turn your back. •I have something very particular to say to Mr. Worthing.	•Gwendolen. •Algy, veux-tu bien te retourner. •J'ai quelque chose à dire en privé à M. Worthing.
•Algernon. •Really, Gwendolen, I don’t think I can allow this at all.	•Algernon. •Vraiment, Gwendolen, je ne pense pas du tout que je puisse accepter cela.
•Gwendolen. •Algy, you always adopt a strictly immoral attitude towards life. •You are not quite old enough to do that. •[Algernon retires to the fireplace].	•Gwendolen. •Algy, tu adoptes toujours dans la vie une attitude strictement immorale. •Tu n'es pas encore assez âgé pour cela. •[Algernon se retire vers la cheminée].
•Jack. •My own darling!	•Jack. •Ma chérie !
•Gwendolen. •Ernest, we may never be married. •From the expression on mamma’s face I fear we never shall. •Few parents nowadays pay any regard to what their children say to them. •The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying out. •Whatever influence I ever had over mamma, I lost at the age of three. •But although she may prevent us from becoming man and wife, and I may marry some one else, and marry often, nothing that she can possibly do can alter my eternal devotion to you.	•Gwendolen. •Constant, nous ne pourrons peut-être jamais nous marier. •À voir l'expression de maman, je crains que nous ne puissions jamais. •De nos jours, peu de parents ne prêtent la moindre attention à ce que leurs enfants leur disent. •Le traditionnel respect envers les jeunes est en train de disparaitre. •Depuis l'âge de trois ans, j'ai perdu le peu d'influence que j'aie jamais eue sur maman. •Mais, bien qu'elle puisse nous empêcher de devenir mari et femme, que je puisse épouser quelqu'un d'autre, et que je me marie plusieurs fois, rien de ce qu'elle pourra faire ne pourra changer ma dévotion éternelle envers vous.
•Jack. •Dear Gwendolen!	•Jack. •Gwendolen, ma chérie !
•Gwendolen. •The story of your romantic origin, as related to me by mamma, with unpleasing comments, has naturally stirred the deeper fibres of my nature. •Your Christian name has an irresistible fascination. •The simplicity of your character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me. •Your town address at the Albany I have. •What is your address in the country?	•Gwendolen. •L'histoire de ton origine romanesque que maman m'a racontée, avec des commentaires désagréables, a naturellement remué les fibres les plus profondes de ma nature. •Ton prénom a une fascination irrésistible. •La simplicité de ton charactère te rend délicieusement incompréhensible pour moi. •J'ai ton adresse à l'Albany. * •Quelle est ton adresse à la campagne ?
•Jack. •The Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire.	•Jack. •Le Manoir, Woolton, Hertfordshire.
•[Algernon, who has been carefully listening, smiles to himself, and writes the address on his shirt-cuff. •Then picks up the Railway Guide].	•[Algernon, qui a écouté attentivement, sourit en lui-même, et écrit l'adresse sur son manchette.* •Puis il consulte le guide des chemins de fer].
•Gwendolen. •There is a good postal service, I suppose? •It may be necessary to do something desperate. •That of course will require serious consideration. •I will communicate with you daily.	•Gwendolen. •Je suppose qu'il y a un bon service postal ? •Il peut être nécessaire de faire quelque chose de désespéré. •Bien entendu, cela nécessitera une attention sérieuse. •Je t'écrirai tous les jours.
•Jack. •My own one!	•Jack. •Mon adorée !
•Gwendolen. •How long do you remain in town?	•Gwendolen. •Combien de temps restes-tu en ville ?
•Jack. •Till Monday.	•Jack. •Jusqu'à lundi.
•Gwendolen. •Good! •Algy, you may turn round now.	•Gwendolen. •Bon ! •Algy, tu peux te retourner maintenant.
•Algernon. •Thanks, I’ve turned round already.	•Algernon. •Merci, je me suis déjà retourné.
•Gwendolen. •You may also ring the bell.	•Gwendolen. •Tu peux aussi sonner.
•Jack. •You will let me see you to your carriage, my own darling?	•Jack. •Tu me laisseras t'accompagner jusqu'à ta voiture, ma chérie ?
•Gwendolen. •Certainly.	•Gwendolen. •Bien sûr.
•Jack. •[To Lane, who now enters]. •I will see Miss Fairfax out.	•Jack. •[À Lane, qui entre maintenant]. •Je laisse sortir Miss Fairfax.
•Lane. •Yes, sir. •[Jack and Gwendolen go off].	•Lane. •Oui, monsieur. •[Jack et Gwendolen sortent].
•[Lane presents several letters on a salver to Algernon. •It is to be surmised that they are bills, as Algernon, after looking at the envelopes, tears them up].	•[Lane présente plusieurs lettres sur un plateau à Algernon. •Il faut supposer qu'ils sont des factures, comme Algernon, après avoir regardé les enveloppes, les déchire].
•Algernon. •A glass of sherry, Lane. •Lane. •Yes, sir.	•Algernon. •Un verre de sherry, Lane. •Lane. •Oui, monsieur.
•Algernon. •To-morrow, Lane, I’m going Bunburying.	•Algernon. •Demain, Lane, je vais Bunburiser.
•Lane. •Yes, sir.	•Lane. •Oui, monsieur.
•Algernon. •I shall probably not be back till Monday. •You can put up my dress clothes, my smoking jacket, and all the Bunbury suits . •. •.	•Algernon. •Je ne reviendrai probablement pas avant lundi. •Tu peux préparer mes vêtements, mon smoking et tous les costumes pour Bunburiser. •. •.
•Lane. •Yes, sir. •[Handing sherry].	•Lane. •Oui, monsieur. •[Sert le sherry].
•Algernon. •I hope to-morrow will be a fine day, Lane. •Lane. •It never is, sir.	•Algernon. •J'espère que demain sera une belle journée, Lane. •Lane. •Ça n'arrive jamais, monsieur.
•Algernon. •Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist.	•Algernon. •Lane, vous êtes un parfait pessimiste.
•Lane. •I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.	•Lane. •Je fais de mon mieux pour vous donner satisfaction, monsieur.
•[Enter Jack. •Lane goes off].	•[Jack entre. •Lane sort].
•Jack. •There’s a sensible, intellectual girl! •the only girl I ever cared for in my life. •[Algernon is laughing immoderately]. •What on earth are you so amused at?	•Jack. •Voilà une jeune fille raisonnable et intelligente ! •Elle est la seule jeune fille qui ait jamais compté dans ma vie. •[Algernon rit aux éclats]. •Dieu du ciel, qu'est-ce qui t'amuse tant ?
•Algernon. •Oh, I’m a little anxious about poor Bunbury, that is all.	•Algernon. •Oh, je suis simplement un peu inquiet au sujet de ce pauvre Bunbury, c'est tout.
•Jack. •If you don’t take care, your friend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day.	•Jack. •Si tu n'y prends garde, ton ami Bunbury te mettra dans le pétrin un de ces jours.
•Algernon. •I love scrapes. •They are the only things that are never serious.	•Algernon. •J'adore les ennuis. •Ce sont les seules choses qui ne sont pas sérieuses.
•Jack. •Oh, that’s nonsense, Algy. •You never talk anything but nonsense.	•Jack. •Oh, c'est ridicule, Algy. •Tu ne parles que de bêtises.
•Algernon. •Nobody ever does.	•Algernon. •Personne ne le fait jamais.
•[Jack looks indignantly at him, and leaves the room. •Algernon lights a cigarette, reads his shirt-cuff, and smiles].	•[Jack l'ignore et sort de la chambre. •Algernon allume une cigarette, lit son manchette et sourit].
•ACT DROP.	•RIDEAU.

unit 1

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde.
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Publisher's preface.
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This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.
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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org.
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Title: The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.
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Author: Oscar Wilde.
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Release Date: August 29, 2006 [eBook #844].
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Language: English.
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Transcribed from the 1915 Methuen & Co. Ltd. edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org.
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Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm.
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The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People By Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).
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THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY.
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John Worthing, JP.
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Algernon Moncrieff.
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Rev.
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Canon Chasuble, DD.
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Merriman, Butler.
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Lane, Manservant.
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Lady Bracknell.
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Hon.
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Gwendolen Fairfax.
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Cecily Cardew.
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Miss Prism, Governess.
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THE SCENES OF THE PLAY.
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ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W. ACT II.
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The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.
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ACT III.
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Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.
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TIME: The Present.
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LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander.
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February 14th, 1895.
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* * * * * John Worthing, JP: Mr. George Alexander.
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Algernon Moncrieff: Mr. Allen Aynesworth.
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Rev.
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Canon Chasuble, DD: Mr. HH Vincent.
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Merriman: Mr. Frank Dyall.
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Lane: Mr. F. Kinsey Peile.
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Lady Bracknell: Miss Rose Leclercq.
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Hon.
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Gwendolen Fairfax: Miss Irene Vanbrugh.
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Cecily Cardew: Miss Evelyn Millard.
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Miss Prism: Mrs. George Canninge.
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FIRST ACT.
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SCENE: Morning-room in Algernon’s flat in Half-Moon Street.
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The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished.
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The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room.
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[Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters].
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Algernon.
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Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?
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Lane.
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I didn’t think it polite to listen, sir.
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Algernon.
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I’m sorry for that, for your sake.
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I don’t play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression.
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As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte.
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I keep science for Life.
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Lane.
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Yes, sir.
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Algernon.
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unit 60

And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 61

Lane.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 62

Yes, sir.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 63

[Hands them on a salver].
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 64

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 65

[Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa].
2 Translations, 5 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 66

Oh!
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 67

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 68

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 69

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 70

by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursday night, when Lord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles of champagne are entered as having been consumed.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 71

Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 72

Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 73

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 74

Why is it that at a bachelor’s establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne?
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 75

I ask merely for information.
2 Translations, 5 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 76

Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 77

I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 78

I have often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 79

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 80

Good heavens!
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 81

Is marriage so demoralising as that?
2 Translations, 6 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 82

Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 83

I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 84

I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present.
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 85

I have only been married once.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 86

That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 87

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 88

[Languidly].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 89

I don’t know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 90

Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 91

No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 92

I never think of it myself.
2 Translations, 5 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 93

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 94

Very natural, I am sure.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 95

That will do, Lane, thank you.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 96

Lane.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 97

Thank you, sir.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 98

[Lane goes out].
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 99

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 100

Lane’s views on marriage seem somewhat lax.
1 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 101

Really, if the lower orders don’t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?
2 Translations, 5 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 102

They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 103

[Enter Lane].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 104

Lane.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 105

Mr. Ernest Worthing.
2 Translations, 6 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 106

[Enter Jack].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 107

[Lane goes out].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 108

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 109

How are you, my dear Ernest?
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 110

What brings you up to town?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 111

Jack.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 112

Oh, pleasure, pleasure!
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 113

What else should bring one anywhere?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 114

Eating as usual, I see, Algy!
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 115

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 116

[Stiffly].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 117

I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight refreshment at five o’clock.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 118

Where have you been since last Thursday?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 119

Jack.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 120

[Sitting down on the sofa].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 121

In the country.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 122

Algernon.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 123

What on earth do you do there?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 124

Jack.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 125

[Pulling off his gloves].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 126

When one is in town one amuses oneself.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 127

When one is in the country one amuses other people.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 128

It is excessively boring.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 129

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 130

And who are the people you amuse?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 131

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 132

[Airily].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 133

Oh, neighbours, neighbours.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 134

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 135

Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 136

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 137

Perfectly horrid!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 138

Never speak to one of them.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 139

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 140

How immensely you must amuse them!
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 141

[Goes over and takes sandwich].
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 142

By the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 143

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 144

Eh?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 145

Shropshire?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 146

Yes, of course.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 147

Hallo!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 148

Why all these cups?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 149

Why cucumber sandwiches?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 150

Why such reckless extravagance in one so young?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 151

Who is coming to tea?
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 152

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 153

Oh!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 154

merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 155

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 156

How perfectly delightful!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 157

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 158

Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being here.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 159

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 160

May I ask why?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 161

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 162

My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectly disgraceful.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 163

It is almost as bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 164

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 165

I am in love with Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 166

I have come up to town expressly to propose to her.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 167

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 168

I thought you had come up for pleasure?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 169

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 170

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 171

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 172

I call that business.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 173

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 174

How utterly unromantic you are!
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 175

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 176

I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 177

It is very romantic to be in love.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 178

But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 179

Why, one may be accepted.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 180

One usually is, I believe.
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 181

Then the excitement is all over.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 182

The very essence of romance is uncertainty.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 183

If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 184

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 185

I have no doubt about that, dear Algy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 186

The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 187

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 188

Oh!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 189

there is no use speculating on that subject.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 190

Divorces are made in Heaven—[Jack puts out his hand to take a sandwich.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 191

Algernon at once interferes].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 192

Please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 193

They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 194

[Takes one and eats it].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 195

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 196

Well, you have been eating them all the time.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 197

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 198

That is quite a different matter.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 199

She is my aunt.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 200

[Takes plate from below].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 201

Have some bread and butter.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 202

The bread and butter is for Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 203

Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 204

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 205

[Advancing to table and helping himself].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 206

And very good bread and butter it is too.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 207

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 208

Well, my dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 209

You behave as if you were married to her already.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 210

You are not married to her already, and I don’t think you ever will be.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 211

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 212

Why on earth do you say that?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 213

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 214

Well, in the first place girls never marry the men they flirt with.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 215

Girls don’t think it right.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 216

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 217

Oh, that is nonsense!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 218

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 219

It isn’t.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 220

It is a great truth.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 221

It accounts for the extraordinary number of bachelors that one sees all over the place.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 222

In the second place, I don’t give my consent.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 223

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 224

Your consent!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 225

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 226

My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 227

And before I allow you to marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 228

[Rings bell].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 229

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 230

Cecily!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 231

What on earth do you mean?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 232

What do you mean, Algy, by Cecily!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 233

I don’t know any one of the name of Cecily.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 234

[Enter Lane].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 235

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 236

Bring me that cigarette case Mr. Worthing left in the smoking-room the last time he dined here.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 237

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 238

Yes, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 239

[Lane goes out].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 240

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 241

Do you mean to say you have had my cigarette case all this time?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 242

I wish to goodness you had let me know.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 243

I have been writing frantic letters to Scotland Yard about it.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 244

I was very nearly offering a large reward.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 245

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 246

Well, I wish you would offer one.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 247

I happen to be more than usually hard up.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 248

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 249

There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 250

[Enter Lane with the cigarette case on a salver.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 251

Algernon takes it at once.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 252

Lane goes out].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 253

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 254

I think that is rather mean of you, Ernest, I must say.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 255

[Opens case and examines it].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 256

However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the inscription inside, I find that the thing isn’t yours after all.
3 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 257

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 258

Of course it’s mine.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 259

[Moving to him.]
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 260

You have seen me with it a hundred times, and you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 261

It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 262

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 263

Oh!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 264

it is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn’t.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 265

More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 266

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 267

I am quite aware of the fact, and I don’t propose to discuss modern culture.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 268

It isn’t the sort of thing one should talk of in private.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 269

I simply want my cigarette case back.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 270

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 271

Yes; but this isn’t your cigarette case.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 272

This cigarette case is a present from some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn’t know any one of that name.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 273

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 274

Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 275

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 276

Your aunt!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 277

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 278

Yes.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 279

Charming old lady she is, too.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 280

Lives at Tunbridge Wells.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 281

Just give it back to me, Algy.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 282

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 283

[Retreating to back of sofa.]
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 284

But why does she call herself little Cecily if she is your aunt and lives at Tunbridge Wells?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 285

[Reading].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 286

‘From little Cecily with her fondest love.’ Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 287

[Moving to sofa and kneeling upon it].
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 288

My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 289

Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 290

That is a matter that surely an aunt may be allowed to decide for herself.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 291

You seem to think that every aunt should be exactly like your aunt!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 292

That is absurd!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 8 years ago

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unit 293

For Heaven’s sake give me back my cigarette case.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 294

[Follows Algernon round the room].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 295

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 296

Yes.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 297

But why does your aunt call you her uncle?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 298

‘From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.’ There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt being a small aunt, but why an aunt, no matter what her size may be, should call her own nephew her uncle, I can’t quite make out.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 299

Besides, your name isn’t Jack at all; it is Ernest.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 300

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 301

It isn’t Ernest; it’s Jack.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 302

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 303

You have always told me it was Ernest.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 304

I have introduced you to every one as Ernest.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 305

You answer to the name of Ernest.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 306

You look as if your name was Ernest.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 307

You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 308

It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn’t Ernest.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 309

It’s on your cards.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 310

Here is one of them.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 311

[Taking it from case].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 312

‘Mr.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 313

Ernest Worthing, B.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 314

4, The Albany.’ I’ll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 315

[Puts the card in his pocket].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 316

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 317

Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 318

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 319

Yes, but that does not account for the fact that your small Aunt Cecily, who lives at Tunbridge Wells, calls you her dear uncle.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 320

Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 321

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 322

My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 323

It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn’t a dentist.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 324

It produces a false impression.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 325

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 326

Well, that is exactly what dentists always do.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 327

Now, go on!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 328

Tell me the whole thing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 329

I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a confirmed and secret Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 330

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 331

Bunburyist?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 332

What on earth do you mean by a Bunburyist?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 333

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 334

I’ll reveal to you the meaning of that incomparable expression as soon as you are kind enough to inform me why you are Ernest in town and Jack in the country.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 335

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 336

Well, produce my cigarette case first.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 337

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 338

Here it is.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 339

[Hands cigarette case].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 340

Now produce your explanation, and pray make it improbable.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 341

[Sits on sofa].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 342

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 343

My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation at all.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 344

In fact it’s perfectly ordinary.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 345

Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 346

Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 347

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 348

Where is that place in the country, by the way?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 349

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 350

That is nothing to you, dear boy.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 351

You are not going to be invited .
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 352

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 353

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 354

I may tell you candidly that the place is not in Shropshire.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 355

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 356

I suspected that, my dear fellow!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 357

I have Bunburyed all over Shropshire on two separate occasions.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 358

Now, go on.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 359

Why are you Ernest in town and Jack in the country?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 360

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 361

My dear Algy, I don’t know whether you will be able to understand my real motives.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 362

You are hardly serious enough.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 363

When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 364

It’s one’s duty to do so.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 365

And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce very much to either one’s health or one’s happiness, in order to get up to town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 366

That, my dear Algy, is the whole truth pure and simple.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 367

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 368

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 369

Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 370

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 371

That wouldn’t be at all a bad thing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 372

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 373

Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 374

Don’t try it.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 375

You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 376

They do it so well in the daily papers.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 377

What you really are is a Bunburyist.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 378

I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 379

You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 380

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 381

What on earth do you mean?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 382

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 383

You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like.
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 384

I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 385

Bunbury is perfectly invaluable.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 386

If it wasn’t for Bunbury’s extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn’t be able to dine with you at Willis’s to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 387

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 388

I haven’t asked you to dine with me anywhere to-night.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 389

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 390

I know.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 391

You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 392

It is very foolish of you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 393

Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 394

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 395

You had much better dine with your Aunt Augusta.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 396

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 397

I haven’t the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 398

To begin with, I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one’s own relations.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 399

In the second place, whenever I do dine there I am always treated as a member of the family, and sent down with either no woman at all, or two.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 400

In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to, to-night.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 401

She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 402

That is not very pleasant.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 403

Indeed, it is not even decent .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 404

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 405

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 406

and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 407

The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 408

It looks so bad.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 409

It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 410

Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 411

I want to tell you the rules.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 412

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 413

I’m not a Bunburyist at all.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 12 months ago

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unit 414

If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my brother, indeed I think I’ll kill him in any case.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 415

Cecily is a little too much interested in him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 416

It is rather a bore.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 417

So I am going to get rid of Ernest.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 418

And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr. .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 419

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 420

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 421

with your invalid friend who has the absurd name.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 422

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 423

Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 424

A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 425

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 426

That is nonsense.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 427

If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won’t want to know Bunbury.
3 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 428

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 429

Then your wife will.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 430

You don’t seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 431

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 432

[Sententiously.]
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 433

That, my dear young friend, is the theory that the corrupt French Drama has been propounding for the last fifty years.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 434

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 435

Yes; and that the happy English home has proved in half the time.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 436

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 437

For heaven’s sake, don’t try to be cynical.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 438

It’s perfectly easy to be cynical.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 439

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 440

My dear fellow, it isn’t easy to be anything nowadays.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 441

There’s such a lot of beastly competition about.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 442

[The sound of an electric bell is heard].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 443

Ah!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 444

that must be Aunt Augusta.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 445

Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that Wagnerian manner.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 446

Now, if I get her out of the way for ten minutes, so that you can have an opportunity for proposing to Gwendolen, may I dine with you to-night at Willis’s?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 447

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 448

I suppose so, if you want to.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 449

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 450

Yes, but you must be serious about it.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 451

I hate people who are not serious about meals.
3 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 452

It is so shallow of them.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 453

[Enter Lane].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 454

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 455

Lady Bracknell and Miss Fairfax.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 456

[Algernon goes forward to meet them.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 457

Enter Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 458

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 459

Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 460

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 461

I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 462

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 463

That’s not quite the same thing.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 464

In fact the two things rarely go together.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 465

[Sees Jack and bows to him with icy coldness].
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 466

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 467

[To Gwendolen].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 468

Dear me, you are smart!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 469

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 470

I am always smart!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 471

Am I not, Mr. Worthing?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 472

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 473

You’re quite perfect, Miss Fairfax.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 474

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 475

Oh!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 476

I hope I am not that.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 477

It would leave no room for developments, and I intend to develop in many directions.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 478

[Gwendolen and Jack sit down together in the corner].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 479

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 480

I’m sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady Harbury.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 481

I hadn’t been there since her poor husband’s death.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 482

I never saw a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 483

And now I’ll have a cup of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised me.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 484

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 485

Certainly, Aunt Augusta.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 486

[Goes over to tea-table].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 487

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 488

Won’t you come and sit here, Gwendolen?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 489

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 490

Thanks, mamma, I’m quite comfortable where I am.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 491

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 492

[Picking up empty plate in horror].
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 493

Good heavens!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 494

Lane!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 495

Why are there no cucumber sandwiches?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 496

I ordered them specially.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 497

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 498

[Gravely].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 499

There were no cucumbers in the market this morning, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 500

I went down twice.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 501

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 502

No cucumbers!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 503

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 504

No, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 505

Not even for ready money.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 506

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 507

That will do, Lane, thank you.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 508

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 509

Thank you, sir.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 510

[Goes out].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 511

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 512

I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even for ready money.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 513

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 514

It really makes no matter, Algernon.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 515

I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 516

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 517

I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 518

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 519

It certainly has changed its colour.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 520

From what cause I, of course, cannot say.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 521

[Algernon crosses and hands tea].
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 522

Thank you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 523

I’ve quite a treat for you to-night, Algernon.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 524

I am going to send you down with Mary Farquhar.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 525

She is such a nice woman, and so attentive to her husband.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 526

It’s delightful to watch them.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 527

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 528

I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have to give up the pleasure of dining with you to-night after all.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 529

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 530

[Frowning].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 531

I hope not, Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 532

It would put my table completely out.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 533

Your uncle would have to dine upstairs.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 534

Fortunately he is accustomed to that.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 535

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 536

It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 537

[Exchanges glances with Jack].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 538

They seem to think I should be with him.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 539

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 540

It is very strange.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 541

This Mr. Bunbury seems to suffer from curiously bad health.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 542

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 543

Yes; poor Bunbury is a dreadful invalid.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 544

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 545

Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 546

This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 547

Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 548

I consider it morbid.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 549

Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 550

Health is the primary duty of life.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 551

I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice .
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 552

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 553

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 554

as far as any improvement in his ailment goes.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 555

I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 556

It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 557

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 558

I’ll speak to Bunbury, Aunt Augusta, if he is still conscious, and I think I can promise you he’ll be all right by Saturday.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 559

Of course the music is a great difficulty.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 560

You see, if one plays good music, people don’t listen, and if one plays bad music people don’t talk.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 561

But I’ll run over the programme I’ve drawn out, if you will kindly come into the next room for a moment.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 562

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 563

Thank you, Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 564

It is very thoughtful of you.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 565

[Rising, and following Algernon.]
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 566

I’m sure the programme will be delightful, after a few expurgations.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 567

French songs I cannot possibly allow.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 568

People always seem to think that they are improper, and either look shocked, which is vulgar, or laugh, which is worse.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 569

But German sounds a thoroughly respectable language, and indeed, I believe is so.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 570

Gwendolen, you will accompany me.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 571

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 572

Certainly, mamma.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 573

[Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the music-room, Gwendolen remains behind].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 574

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 575

Charming day it has been, Miss Fairfax.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 576

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 577

Pray don’t talk to me about the weather, Mr. Worthing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 578

Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that they mean something else.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 579

And that makes me so nervous.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 580

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 581

I do mean something else.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 582

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 583

I thought so.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 584

In fact, I am never wrong.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 585

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 586

And I would like to be allowed to take advantage of Lady Bracknell’s temporary absence .
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 587

.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 588

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 589

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 590

I would certainly advise you to do so.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 591

Mamma has a way of coming back suddenly into a room that I have often had to speak to her about.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 592

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 593

[Nervously] Miss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you more than any girl .
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 594

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 595

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 596

I have ever met since .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 597

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 598

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 599

I met you.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 600

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 601

Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 602

And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 603

For me you have always had an irresistible fascination.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 604

Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 605

[Jack looks at her in amazement].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 606

We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 607

The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 608

There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 609

The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 610

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 611

You really love me, Gwendolen?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 612

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 613

Passionately!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 614

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 615

Darling!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 616

You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 617

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 618

My own Ernest!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 619

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 620

But you don’t really mean to say that you couldn’t love me if my name wasn’t Ernest?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 621

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 622

But your name is Ernest.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 623

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 624

Yes, I know it is.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 625

But supposing it was something else?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 626

Do you mean to say you couldn’t love me then?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 627

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 628

[Glibly].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 629

Ah!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 630

that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 631

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 632

Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don’t much care about the name of Ernest .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 633

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 634

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 635

I don’t think the name suits me at all.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 636

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 637

It suits you perfectly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 638

It is a divine name.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 639

It has a music of its own.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 640

It produces vibrations.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 641

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 642

Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 643

I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 644

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 645

Jack?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 646

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 647

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 648

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 649

No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 650

It does not thrill.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 651

It produces absolutely no vibrations .
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 652

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 653

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 654

I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 655

Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John!
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 656

And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 657

She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment’s solitude.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 658

The only really safe name is Ernest.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 659

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 660

Gwendolen, I must get christened at once—I mean we must get married at once.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 661

There is no time to be lost.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 662

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 663

Married, Mr. Worthing?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 664

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 665

[Astounded].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 666

Well .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 667

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 668

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 669

surely.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 670

You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 671

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 672

I adore you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 673

But you haven’t proposed to me yet.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 674

Nothing has been said at all about marriage.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 675

The subject has not even been touched on.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 676

Jack.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 677

Well .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 678

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 679

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 680

may I propose to you now?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 681

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 682

I think it would be an admirable opportunity.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 683

And to spare you any possible disappointment, Mr. Worthing, I think it only fair to tell you quite frankly before-hand that I am fully determined to accept you.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 684

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 685

Gwendolen!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 686

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 687

Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 688

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 689

You know what I have got to say to you.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 690

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 691

Yes, but you don’t say it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 692

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 693

Gwendolen, will you marry me?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 694

[Goes on his knees.]
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 695

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 696

Of course I will, darling.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 697

How long you have been about it!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 698

I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 699

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 700

My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 701

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 702

Yes, but men often propose for practice.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 703

I know my brother Gerald does.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 704

All my girl-friends tell me so.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 705

What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 706

They are quite, quite, blue.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 707

I hope you will always look at me just like that, especially when there are other people present.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 708

[Enter Lady Bracknell].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 709

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 710

Mr. Worthing!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

Translate

unit 711

Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 712

It is most indecorous.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

Translate

unit 713

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 714

Mamma!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 715

[He tries to rise; she restrains him].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 716

I must beg you to retire.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 717

This is no place for you.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 718

Besides, Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 719

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 720

Finished what, may I ask?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 721

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 722

I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 723

[They rise together].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 724

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 725

Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 726

When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 727

An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 728

It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself .
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 729

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 730

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 731

And now I have a few questions to put to you, Mr. Worthing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 732

While I am making these inquiries, you, Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 733

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 734

[Reproachfully].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 735

Mamma!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 736

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 737

In the carriage, Gwendolen!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 738

[Gwendolen goes to the door.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 739

She and Jack blow kisses to each other behind Lady Bracknell’s back.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 740

Lady Bracknell looks vaguely about as if she could not understand what the noise was.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 741

Finally turns round].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 742

Gwendolen, the carriage!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 743

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 744

Yes, mamma.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 745

[Goes out, looking back at Jack].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 746

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 747

[Sitting down].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 748

You can take a seat, Mr. Worthing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 749

[Looks in her pocket for note-book and pencil].
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 750

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 751

Thank you, Lady Bracknell, I prefer standing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 752

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 753

[Pencil and note-book in hand].
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 754

I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men, although I have the same list as the dear Duchess of Bolton has.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 755

We work together, in fact.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 756

However, I am quite ready to enter your name, should your answers be what a really affectionate mother requires.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 757

Do you smoke?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 758

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 759

Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 760

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 761

I am glad to hear it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 762

A man should always have an occupation of some kind.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 763

There are far too many idle men in London as it is.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 764

How old are you?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 765

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 766

Twenty-nine.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 767

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 768

A very good age to be married at.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 769

I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 770

Which do you know?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 771

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 772

[After some hesitation].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 773

I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 774

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 775

I am pleased to hear it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 776

I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 777

Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 778

The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 779

Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 780

If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 781

What is your income?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 782

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 783

Between seven and eight thousand a year.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 784

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 785

[Makes a note in her book].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 786

In land, or in investments?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 787

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 788

In investments, chiefly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 789

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 790

That is satisfactory.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 791

What between the duties expected of one during one’s lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one’s death, land has ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 792

It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 793

That’s all that can be said about land.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 794

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 795

I have a country house with some land, of course, attached to it, about fifteen hundred acres, I believe; but I don’t depend on that for my real income.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 796

In fact, as far as I can make out, the poachers are the only people who make anything out of it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 797

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 798

A country house!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 799

How many bedrooms?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 800

Well, that point can be cleared up afterwards.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 801

You have a town house, I hope?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 802

A girl with a simple, unspoiled nature, like Gwendolen, could hardly be expected to reside in the country.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 803

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 804

Well, I own a house in Belgrave Square, but it is let by the year to Lady Bloxham.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 805

Of course, I can get it back whenever I like, at six months’ notice.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 806

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 807

Lady Bloxham?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 808

I don’t know her.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 809

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 810

Oh, she goes about very little.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 811

She is a lady considerably advanced in years.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 812

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 813

Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 814

What number in Belgrave Square?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 815

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 816

149.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 817

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 818

[Shaking her head].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 819

The unfashionable side.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 820

I thought there was something.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 821

However, that could easily be altered.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 822

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 823

Do you mean the fashion, or the side?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 824

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 825

[Sternly].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 826

Both, if necessary, I presume.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 827

What are your politics?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 828

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 829

Well, I am afraid I really have none.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 830

I am a Liberal Unionist.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 831

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 832

Oh, they count as Tories.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 833

They dine with us.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 834

Or come in the evening, at any rate.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 835

Now to minor matters.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 836

Are your parents living?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 837

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 838

I have lost both my parents.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 839

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 840

To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 841

Who was your father?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 842

He was evidently a man of some wealth.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 843

Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 844

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 845

I am afraid I really don’t know.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 846

The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 847

It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to have lost me .
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 848

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 849

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 850

I don’t actually know who I am by birth.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 851

I was .
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 852

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 853

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 854

well, I was found.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 855

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 856

Found!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 857

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 858

The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the time.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 859

Worthing is a place in Sussex.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 860

It is a seaside resort.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 861

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 862

Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this seaside resort find you?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 863

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 864

[Gravely].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 865

In a hand-bag.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 866

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 867

A hand-bag?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 868

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 869

[Very seriously].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 870

Yes, Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 871

I was in a hand-bag—a somewhat large, black leather hand-bag, with handles to it—an ordinary hand-bag in fact.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 872

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 873

In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 874

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 875

In the cloak-room at Victoria Station.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 876

It was given to him in mistake for his own.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 877

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 878

The cloak-room at Victoria Station?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 879

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 880

Yes.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 881

The Brighton line.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 882

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 883

The line is immaterial.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 884

Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 885

To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 886

And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 887

As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social indiscretion—has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before now—but it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position in good society.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 888

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 889

May I ask you then what you would advise me to do?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 890

I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s happiness.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 891

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 892

I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 893

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 894

Well, I don’t see how I could possibly manage to do that.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 895

I can produce the hand-bag at any moment.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 896

It is in my dressing-room at home.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 897

I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 898

Lady Bracknell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 899

Me, sir!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 900

What has it to do with me?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 901

You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter—a girl brought up with the utmost care—to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 902

Good morning, Mr. Worthing!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 903

[Lady Bracknell sweeps out in majestic indignation].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 904

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 905

Good morning!
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 906

[Algernon, from the other room, strikes up the Wedding March.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 907

Jack looks perfectly furious, and goes to the door].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 908

For goodness’ sake don’t play that ghastly tune, Algy.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

Translate

unit 909

How idiotic you are!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 910

[The music stops and Algernon enters cheerily].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

Translate

unit 911

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 912

Didn’t it go off all right, old boy?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 913

You don’t mean to say Gwendolen refused you?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 914

I know it is a way she has.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 915

She is always refusing people.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 916

I think it is most ill-natured of her.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 917

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 918

Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 919

As far as she is concerned, we are engaged.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 920

Her mother is perfectly unbearable.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 921

Never met such a Gorgon .
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 922

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 923

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 924

I don’t really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 925

In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is rather unfair .
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 926

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 927

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 928

I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn’t talk about your own aunt in that way before you.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 929

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 930

My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 931

It is the only thing that makes me put up with them at all.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 932

Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 933

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 934

Oh, that is nonsense!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 935

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 936

It isn’t!
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 937

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 938

Well, I won’t argue about the matter.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 939

You always want to argue about things.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 940

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 941

That is exactly what things were originally made for.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 942

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 943

Upon my word, if I thought that, I’d shoot myself .
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 944

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 945

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 946

[A pause].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 947

You don’t think there is any chance of Gwendolen becoming like her mother in about a hundred and fifty years, do you, Algy?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 948

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 949

All women become like their mothers.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 950

That is their tragedy.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 951

No man does.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 952

That’s his.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 953

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 954

Is that clever?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 955

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 956

It is perfectly phrased!
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 957

and quite as true as any observation in civilised life should be.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 958

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 959

I am sick to death of cleverness.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 960

Everybody is clever nowadays.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 961

You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 962

The thing has become an absolute public nuisance.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 963

I wish to goodness we had a few fools left.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 964

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 965

We have.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 966

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 967

I should extremely like to meet them.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 968

What do they talk about?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 969

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 970

The fools?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 971

Oh!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 972

about the clever people, of course.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 973

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 974

What fools!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 975

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 976

By the way, did you tell Gwendolen the truth about your being Ernest in town, and Jack in the country?
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 977

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 978

[In a very patronising manner].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 979

My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 980

What extraordinary ideas you have about the way to behave to a woman!
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 981

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 982

The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to some one else, if she is plain.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 983

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 984

Oh, that is nonsense.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 985

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 986

What about your brother?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 987

What about the profligate Ernest?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 988

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 989

Oh, before the end of the week I shall have got rid of him.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 990

I’ll say he died in Paris of apoplexy.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 991

Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don’t they?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 992

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 993

Yes, but it’s hereditary, my dear fellow.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 994

It’s a sort of thing that runs in families.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 995

You had much better say a severe chill.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 996

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 997

You are sure a severe chill isn’t hereditary, or anything of that kind?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 998

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 999

Of course it isn’t!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1000

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1001

Very well, then.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1002

My poor brother Ernest to carried off suddenly, in Paris, by a severe chill.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1003

That gets rid of him.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1004

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1005

But I thought you said that .
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1006

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1007

.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1008

Miss Cardew was a little too much interested in your poor brother Ernest?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1009

Won’t she feel his loss a good deal?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1010

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1011

Oh, that is all right.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1012

Cecily is not a silly romantic girl, I am glad to say.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1013

She has got a capital appetite, goes long walks, and pays no attention at all to her lessons.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1014

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1015

I would rather like to see Cecily.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1016

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1017

I will take very good care you never do.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1018

She is excessively pretty, and she is only just eighteen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1019

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1020

Have you told Gwendolen yet that you have an excessively pretty ward who is only just eighteen?
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1021

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1022

Oh!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1023

one doesn’t blurt these things out to people.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1024

Cecily and Gwendolen are perfectly certain to be extremely great friends.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1025

I’ll bet you anything you like that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1026

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1027

Women only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things first.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1028

Now, my dear boy, if we want to get a good table at Willis’s, we really must go and dress.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 1029

Do you know it is nearly seven?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 1030

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1031

[Irritably].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1032

Oh!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1033

It always is nearly seven.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1034

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1035

Well, I’m hungry.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1036

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1037

I never knew you when you weren’t .
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1038

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1039

.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1040

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1041

What shall we do after dinner?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1042

Go to a theatre?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1043

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1044

Oh no!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1045

I loathe listening.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1046

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1047

Well, let us go to the Club?
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 3 months ago

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unit 1048

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1049

Oh, no!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1050

I hate talking.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1051

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1052

Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1053

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1054

Oh, no!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1055

I can’t bear looking at things.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1056

It is so silly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1057

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1058

Well, what shall we do?
3 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1059

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1060

Nothing!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1061

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1062

It is awfully hard work doing nothing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1063

However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1064

[Enter Lane].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1065

Lane.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1066

Miss Fairfax.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1067

[Enter Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1068

Lane goes out].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1069

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1070

Gwendolen, upon my word!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1071

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1072

Algy, kindly turn your back.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1073

I have something very particular to say to Mr. Worthing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1074

Algernon.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1075

Really, Gwendolen, I don’t think I can allow this at all.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1076

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1077

Algy, you always adopt a strictly immoral attitude towards life.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1078

You are not quite old enough to do that.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1079

[Algernon retires to the fireplace].
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1080

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1081

My own darling!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1082

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1083

Ernest, we may never be married.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1084

From the expression on mamma’s face I fear we never shall.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1085

Few parents nowadays pay any regard to what their children say to them.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1086

The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying out.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1087

Whatever influence I ever had over mamma, I lost at the age of three.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1088

But although she may prevent us from becoming man and wife, and I may marry some one else, and marry often, nothing that she can possibly do can alter my eternal devotion to you.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1089

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1090

Dear Gwendolen!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1091

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1092

The story of your romantic origin, as related to me by mamma, with unpleasing comments, has naturally stirred the deeper fibres of my nature.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1093

Your Christian name has an irresistible fascination.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1094

The simplicity of your character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 6 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1095

Your town address at the Albany I have.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1096

What is your address in the country?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1097

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1098

The Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1099

[Algernon, who has been carefully listening, smiles to himself, and writes the address on his shirt-cuff.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1100

Then picks up the Railway Guide].
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1101

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1102

There is a good postal service, I suppose?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1103

It may be necessary to do something desperate.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1104

That of course will require serious consideration.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1105

I will communicate with you daily.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1106

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1107

My own one!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1108

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1109

How long do you remain in town?
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1110

Jack.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1111

Till Monday.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1112

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1113

Good!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1114

Algy, you may turn round now.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1115

Algernon.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1116

Thanks, I’ve turned round already.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1117

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1118

You may also ring the bell.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1119

Jack.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1120

You will let me see you to your carriage, my own darling?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1121

Gwendolen.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 11 months ago

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unit 1122

Certainly.
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unit 1123

Jack.
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unit 1124

[To Lane, who now enters].
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I will see Miss Fairfax out.
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Lane.
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Yes, sir.
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unit 1128

[Jack and Gwendolen go off].
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unit 1129

[Lane presents several letters on a salver to Algernon.
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unit 1130

It is to be surmised that they are bills, as Algernon, after looking at the envelopes, tears them up].
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unit 1131

Algernon.
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unit 1132

A glass of sherry, Lane.
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Lane.
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Yes, sir.
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Algernon.
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unit 1136

To-morrow, Lane, I’m going Bunburying.
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Lane.
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unit 1138

Yes, sir.
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Algernon.
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I shall probably not be back till Monday.
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You can put up my dress clothes, my smoking jacket, and all the Bunbury suits .
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unit 1142

.
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unit 1143

.
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Lane.
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unit 1145

Yes, sir.
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unit 1146

[Handing sherry].
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unit 1147

Algernon.
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I hope to-morrow will be a fine day, Lane.
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Lane.
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unit 1150

It never is, sir.
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Algernon.
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Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist.
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Lane.
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I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.
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unit 1155

[Enter Jack.
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Lane goes off].
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Jack.
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There’s a sensible, intellectual girl!
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the only girl I ever cared for in my life.
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unit 1160

[Algernon is laughing immoderately].
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What on earth are you so amused at?
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Algernon.
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Oh, I’m a little anxious about poor Bunbury, that is all.
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Jack.
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If you don’t take care, your friend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day.
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Algernon.
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unit 1167

I love scrapes.
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They are the only things that are never serious.
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unit 1169

Jack.
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unit 1170

Oh, that’s nonsense, Algy.
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unit 1171

You never talk anything but nonsense.
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unit 1172

Algernon.
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unit 1173

Nobody ever does.
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unit 1174

[Jack looks indignantly at him, and leaves the room.
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unit 1175

Algernon lights a cigarette, reads his shirt-cuff, and smiles].
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unit 1176

ACT DROP.
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The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar
Wilde.

Publisher's preface.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org.

Title: The Importance of Being Earnest
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.

Author: Oscar Wilde.

Release Date: August 29, 2006 [eBook #844].

Language: English.

Transcribed from the 1915 Methuen & Co. Ltd. edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org.

Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm.

The Importance of Being Earnest
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
By Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).

THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY.

John Worthing, JP.
Algernon Moncrieff.
Rev. Canon Chasuble, DD.
Merriman, Butler.
Lane, Manservant.
Lady Bracknell.
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax.
Cecily Cardew.
Miss Prism, Governess.

THE SCENES OF THE PLAY.

ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.

ACT II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.

ACT III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.

TIME: The Present.

LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE
Lessee and Manager: Mr. George Alexander.
February 14th, 1895.
* * * * *
John Worthing, JP: Mr. George Alexander.
Algernon Moncrieff: Mr. Allen Aynesworth.
Rev. Canon Chasuble, DD: Mr. HH Vincent.
Merriman: Mr. Frank Dyall.
Lane: Mr. F. Kinsey Peile.
Lady Bracknell: Miss Rose Leclercq.
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax: Miss Irene Vanbrugh.
Cecily Cardew: Miss Evelyn Millard.
Miss Prism: Mrs. George Canninge.

FIRST ACT.

SCENE: Morning-room in Algernon’s flat in Half-Moon Street. The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room.

[Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters].

Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?

Lane. I didn’t think it polite to listen, sir.

Algernon. I’m sorry for that, for your sake. I don’t play accurately—any one can play accurately—but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life.

Lane. Yes, sir.

Algernon. And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?

Lane. Yes, sir. [Hands them on a salver].

Algernon. [Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa]. Oh! . . . by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursday night, when Lord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles of champagne are entered as having been consumed.

Lane. Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.
Algernon. Why is it that at a bachelor’s establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne? I ask merely for information.

Lane. I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. I have often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand.

Algernon. Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?

Lane. I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present. I have only been married once. That was in 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.

[Enter 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. [Pulling 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? 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. How utterly unromantic you are!

Algernon. I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.

Jack. I have no doubt about that, dear Algy. The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.

Algernon. Oh! there is no use speculating on that subject. Divorces are made in Heaven—[Jack puts out his hand to take a sandwich. Algernon at once interferes]. Please don’t touch the cucumber sandwiches. They are ordered specially for Aunt Augusta. [Takes one and eats it].

Jack. Well, you have been eating them all the time.

Algernon. That is quite a different matter. She is my aunt. [Takes plate from below]. Have some bread and butter. The bread and butter is for Gwendolen. Gwendolen is devoted to bread and butter.

Jack. [Advancing to table and helping himself]. And very good bread and butter it is too.

Algernon. Well, my dear fellow, you need not eat as if you were going to eat it all. You behave as if you were married to her already. You are not married to her already, and I don’t think you ever will be.

Jack. Why on earth do you say that?

Algernon. Well, in the first place girls never marry the men they flirt with. Girls don’t think it right.

Jack. Oh, that is nonsense!

Algernon. It isn’t. It is a great truth. It accounts for the extraordinary number of bachelors that one sees all over the place. In the second place, I don’t give my consent.

Jack. Your consent!

Algernon. My dear fellow, Gwendolen is my first cousin. And before I allow you to marry her, you will have to clear up the whole question of Cecily. [Rings bell].

Jack. Cecily! What on earth do you mean? What do you mean, Algy, by Cecily! I don’t know any one of the name of Cecily.

[Enter Lane].

Algernon. Bring me that cigarette case Mr. Worthing left in the smoking-room the last time he dined here.

Lane. Yes, sir. [Lane goes out].

Jack. Do you mean to say you have had my cigarette case all this time? I wish to goodness you had let me know. I have been writing frantic letters to Scotland Yard about it. I was very nearly offering a large reward.

Algernon. Well, I wish you would offer one. I happen to be more than usually hard up.

Jack. There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found.

[Enter Lane with the cigarette case on a salver. Algernon takes it at once. Lane goes out].

Algernon. I think that is rather mean of you, Ernest, I must say. [Opens case and examines it]. However, it makes no matter, for, now that I look at the inscription inside, I find that the thing isn’t yours after all.

Jack. Of course it’s mine. [Moving to him.] You have seen me with it a hundred times, and you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside. It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.

Algernon. Oh! it is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn’t. More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read.

Jack. I am quite aware of the fact, and I don’t propose to discuss modern culture. It isn’t the sort of thing one should talk of in private. I simply want my cigarette case back.

Algernon. Yes; but this isn’t your cigarette case. This cigarette case is a present from some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn’t know any one of that name.

Jack. Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.

Algernon. Your aunt!

Jack. Yes. Charming old lady she is, too. Lives at Tunbridge Wells. Just give it back to me, Algy.

Algernon. [Retreating to back of sofa.] But why does she call herself little Cecily if she is your aunt and lives at Tunbridge Wells? [Reading]. ‘From little Cecily with her fondest love.’

Jack. [Moving to sofa and kneeling upon it]. My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that? Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall. That is a matter that surely an aunt may be allowed to decide for herself. You seem to think that every aunt should be exactly like your aunt! That is absurd! For Heaven’s sake give me back my cigarette case. [Follows Algernon round the room].

Algernon. Yes. But why does your aunt call you her uncle? ‘From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.’ There is no objection, I admit, to an aunt being a small aunt, but why an aunt, no matter what her size may be, should call her own nephew her uncle, I can’t quite make out. Besides, your name isn’t Jack at all; it is Ernest.

Jack. It isn’t Ernest; it’s Jack.

Algernon. You have always told me it was Ernest. I have introduced you to every one as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd your saying that your name isn’t Ernest. It’s on your cards. Here is one of them. [Taking it from case]. ‘Mr. Ernest Worthing, B. 4, The Albany.’ I’ll keep this as a proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to Gwendolen, or to any one else. [Puts the card in his pocket].

Jack. Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, and the cigarette case was given to me in the country.

Algernon. Yes, but that does not account for the fact that your small Aunt Cecily, who lives at Tunbridge Wells, calls you her dear uncle. Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once.

Jack. My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist. It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn’t a dentist. It produces a false impression.

Algernon. Well, that is exactly what dentists always do. Now, go on! Tell me the whole thing. I may mention that I have always suspected you of being a confirmed and secret Bunburyist; and I am quite sure of it now.

Jack. Bunburyist? What on earth do you mean by a Bunburyist?

Algernon. I’ll reveal to you the meaning of that incomparable expression as soon as you are kind enough to inform me why you are Ernest in town and Jack in the country.

Jack. Well, produce my cigarette case first.

Algernon. Here it is. [Hands cigarette case]. Now produce your explanation, and pray make it improbable. [Sits on sofa].

Jack. My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation at all. In fact it’s perfectly ordinary. Old Mr. Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew. Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.

Algernon. Where is that place in the country, by the way?

Jack. That is nothing to you, dear boy. You are not going to be invited . . . I may tell you candidly that the place is not in Shropshire.

Algernon. I suspected that, my dear fellow! I have Bunburyed all over Shropshire on two separate occasions. Now, go on. Why are you Ernest in town and Jack in the country?

Jack. My dear Algy, I don’t know whether you will be able to understand my real motives. You are hardly serious enough. When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects. It’s one’s duty to do so. And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce very much to either one’s health or one’s happiness, in order to get up to town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes. That, my dear Algy, is the whole truth pure and simple.

Algernon. The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!

Jack. That wouldn’t be at all a bad thing.

Algernon. Literary criticism is not your forte, my dear fellow. Don’t try it. You should leave that to people who haven’t been at a University. They do it so well in the daily papers. What you really are is a Bunburyist. I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced Bunburyists I know.

Jack. What on earth do you mean?

Algernon. You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn’t for Bunbury’s extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn’t be able to dine with you at Willis’s to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week.

Jack. I haven’t asked you to dine with me anywhere to-night.

Algernon. I know. You are absurdly careless about sending out invitations. It is very foolish of you. Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.

Jack. You had much better dine with your Aunt Augusta.

Algernon. I haven’t the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind. To begin with, I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one’s own relations. In the second place, whenever I do dine there I am always treated as a member of the family, and sent down with either no woman at all, or two. In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to, to-night. She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant. Indeed, it is not even decent . . . and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public. Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying. I want to tell you the rules.

Jack. I’m not a Bunburyist at all. If Gwendolen accepts me, I am going to kill my brother, indeed I think I’ll kill him in any case. Cecily is a little too much interested in him. It is rather a bore. So I am going to get rid of Ernest. And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr. . . . with your invalid friend who has the absurd name.

Algernon. Nothing will induce me to part with Bunbury, and if you ever get married, which seems to me extremely problematic, you will be very glad to know Bunbury. A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.

Jack. That is nonsense. If I marry a charming girl like Gwendolen, and she is the only girl I ever saw in my life that I would marry, I certainly won’t want to know Bunbury.

Algernon. Then your wife will. You don’t seem to realise, that in married life three is company and two is none.

Jack. [Sententiously.] That, my dear young friend, is the theory that the corrupt French Drama has been propounding for the last fifty years.

Algernon. Yes; and that the happy English home has proved in half the time.

Jack. For heaven’s sake, don’t try to be cynical. It’s perfectly easy to be cynical.

Algernon. My dear fellow, it isn’t easy to be anything nowadays. There’s such a lot of beastly competition about. [The sound of an electric bell is heard]. Ah! that must be Aunt Augusta. Only relatives, or creditors, ever ring in that Wagnerian manner. Now, if I get her out of the way for ten minutes, so that you can have an opportunity for proposing to Gwendolen, may I dine with you to-night at Willis’s?

Jack. I suppose so, if you want to.

Algernon. Yes, but you must be serious about it. I hate people who are not serious about meals. It is so shallow of them.

[Enter Lane].

Lane. Lady Bracknell and Miss Fairfax.
[Algernon goes forward to meet them. Enter Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen].

Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well.

Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta.

Lady Bracknell. That’s not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together. [Sees Jack and bows to him with icy coldness].
Algernon. [To Gwendolen]. Dear me, you are smart!

Gwendolen. I am always smart! Am I not, Mr. Worthing?

Jack. You’re quite perfect, Miss Fairfax.

Gwendolen. Oh! I hope I am not that. It would leave no room for developments, and I intend to develop in many directions. [Gwendolen and Jack sit down together in the corner].

Lady Bracknell. I’m sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady Harbury. I hadn’t been there since her poor husband’s death. I never saw a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger. And now I’ll have a cup of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised me.

Algernon. Certainly, Aunt Augusta. [Goes over to tea-table].

Lady Bracknell. Won’t you come and sit here, Gwendolen?

Gwendolen. Thanks, mamma, I’m quite comfortable where I am.

Algernon. [Picking up empty plate in horror]. Good heavens! Lane! Why are there no cucumber sandwiches? I ordered them specially.

Lane. [Gravely]. There were no cucumbers in the market this morning, sir. I went down twice.

Algernon. No cucumbers!

Lane. No, sir. Not even for ready money.

Algernon. That will do, Lane, thank you.

Lane. Thank you, sir. [Goes out].

Algernon. I am greatly distressed, Aunt Augusta, about there being no cucumbers, not even for ready money.

Lady Bracknell. It really makes no matter, Algernon. I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now.

Algernon. I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief.

Lady Bracknell. It certainly has changed its colour. From what cause I, of course, cannot say. [Algernon crosses and hands tea]. Thank you. I’ve quite a treat for you to-night, Algernon. I am going to send you down with Mary Farquhar. She is such a nice woman, and so attentive to her husband. It’s delightful to watch them.

Algernon. I am afraid, Aunt Augusta, I shall have to give up the pleasure of dining with you to-night after all.

Lady Bracknell. [Frowning]. I hope not, Algernon. It would put my table completely out. Your uncle would have to dine upstairs. Fortunately he is accustomed to that.

Algernon. It is a great bore, and, I need hardly say, a terrible disappointment to me, but the fact is I have just had a telegram to say that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. [Exchanges glances with Jack]. They seem to think I should be with him.

Lady Bracknell. It is very strange. This Mr. Bunbury seems to suffer from curiously bad health.

Algernon. Yes; poor Bunbury is a dreadful invalid.

Lady Bracknell. Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids. I consider it morbid. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. Health is the primary duty of life. I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice . . . as far as any improvement in his ailment goes. I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.

Algernon. I’ll speak to Bunbury, Aunt Augusta, if he is still conscious, and I think I can promise you he’ll be all right by Saturday. Of course the music is a great difficulty. You see, if one plays good music, people don’t listen, and if one plays bad music people don’t talk. But I’ll run over the programme I’ve drawn out, if you will kindly come into the next room for a moment.

Lady Bracknell. Thank you, Algernon. It is very thoughtful of you. [Rising, and following Algernon.] I’m sure the programme will be delightful, after a few expurgations. French songs I cannot possibly allow. People always seem to think that they are improper, and either look shocked, which is vulgar, or laugh, which is worse. But German sounds a thoroughly respectable language, and indeed, I believe is so. Gwendolen, you will accompany me.

Gwendolen. Certainly, mamma.
[Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the music-room, Gwendolen remains behind].

Jack. Charming day it has been, Miss Fairfax.

Gwendolen. Pray don’t talk to me about the weather, Mr. Worthing. Whenever people talk to me about the weather, I always feel quite certain that they mean something else. And that makes me so nervous.

Jack. I do mean something else.
Gwendolen. I thought so. In fact, I am never wrong.

Jack. And I would like to be allowed to take advantage of Lady Bracknell’s temporary absence . . .

Gwendolen. I would certainly advise you to do so. Mamma has a way of coming back suddenly into a room that I have often had to speak to her about.

Jack. [Nervously] Miss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you more than any girl . . . I have ever met since . . . I met you.

Gwendolen. Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative. For me you have always had an irresistible fascination. Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you. [Jack looks at her in amazement]. We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals. The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence. The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.

Jack. You really love me, Gwendolen?

Gwendolen. Passionately!

Jack. Darling! You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.

Gwendolen. My own Ernest!

Jack. But you don’t really mean to say that you couldn’t love me if my name wasn’t Ernest?

Gwendolen. But your name is Ernest.

Jack. Yes, I know it is. But supposing it was something else? Do you mean to say you couldn’t love me then?

Gwendolen. [Glibly]. Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.

Jack. Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don’t much care about the name of Ernest . . . I don’t think the name suits me at all.

Gwendolen. It suits you perfectly. It is a divine name. It has a music of its own. It produces vibrations.

Jack. Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names. I think Jack, for instance, a charming name.

Gwendolen. Jack? . . . No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It does not thrill. It produces absolutely no vibrations . . . I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John. She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment’s solitude. The only really safe name is Ernest.

Jack. Gwendolen, I must get christened at once—I mean we must get married at once. There is no time to be lost.

Gwendolen. Married, Mr. Worthing?

Jack. [Astounded]. Well . . . surely. You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.

Gwendolen. I adore you. But you haven’t proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all about marriage. The subject has not even been touched on.

Jack. Well . . . may I propose to you now?

Gwendolen. I think it would be an admirable opportunity. And to spare you any possible disappointment, Mr. Worthing, I think it only fair to tell you quite frankly before-hand that I am fully determined to accept you.

Jack. Gwendolen!

Gwendolen. Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?

Jack. You know what I have got to say to you.

Gwendolen. Yes, but you don’t say it.
Jack. Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.]

Gwendolen. Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose.

Jack. My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.

Gwendolen. Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! They are quite, quite, blue. I hope you will always look at me just like that, especially when there are other people present. [Enter Lady Bracknell].

Lady Bracknell. Mr. Worthing! Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture. It is most indecorous.

Gwendolen. Mamma! [He tries to rise; she restrains him]. I must beg you to retire. This is no place for you. Besides, Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet.

Lady Bracknell. Finished what, may I ask?

Gwendolen. I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma. [They rise together].

Lady Bracknell. Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself . . . And now I have a few questions to put to you, Mr. Worthing. While I am making these inquiries, you, Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage.

Gwendolen. [Reproachfully]. Mamma!

Lady Bracknell. In the carriage, Gwendolen! [Gwendolen goes to the door. She and Jack blow kisses to each other behind Lady Bracknell’s back. Lady Bracknell looks vaguely about as if she could not understand what the noise was. Finally turns round]. Gwendolen, the carriage!
Gwendolen. Yes, mamma. [Goes out, looking back at Jack].

Lady Bracknell. [Sitting down]. You can take a seat, Mr. Worthing.

[Looks in her pocket for note-book and pencil].

Jack. Thank you, Lady Bracknell, I prefer standing.

Lady Bracknell. [Pencil and note-book in hand]. I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men, although I have the same list as the dear Duchess of Bolton has. We work together, in fact. However, I am quite ready to enter your name, should your answers be what a really affectionate mother requires. Do you smoke?

Jack. Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
Lady Bracknell. I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. How old are you?

Jack. Twenty-nine.

Lady Bracknell. A very good age to be married at. I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know?

Jack. [After some hesitation]. I know nothing, Lady Bracknell.

Lady Bracknell. I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. What is your income?

Jack. Between seven and eight thousand a year.

Lady Bracknell. [Makes a note in her book]. In land, or in investments?

Jack. In investments, chiefly.

Lady Bracknell. That is satisfactory. What between the duties expected of one during one’s lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one’s death, land has ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure. It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up. That’s all that can be said about land.

Jack. I have a country house with some land, of course, attached to it, about fifteen hundred acres, I believe; but I don’t depend on that for my real income. In fact, as far as I can make out, the poachers are the only people who make anything out of it.

Lady Bracknell. A country house! How many bedrooms? Well, that point can be cleared up afterwards. You have a town house, I hope? A girl with a simple, unspoiled nature, like Gwendolen, could hardly be expected to reside in the country.

Jack. Well, I own a house in Belgrave Square, but it is let by the year to Lady Bloxham. Of course, I can get it back whenever I like, at six months’ notice.

Lady Bracknell. Lady Bloxham? I don’t know her.

Jack. Oh, she goes about very little. She is a lady considerably advanced in years.

Lady Bracknell. Ah, nowadays that is no guarantee of respectability of character. What number in Belgrave Square?

Jack. 149.

Lady Bracknell. [Shaking her head]. The unfashionable side. I thought there was something. However, that could easily be altered.

Jack. Do you mean the fashion, or the side?

Lady Bracknell. [Sternly]. Both, if necessary, I presume. What are your politics?

Jack. Well, I am afraid I really have none. I am a Liberal Unionist.

Lady Bracknell. Oh, they count as Tories. They dine with us. Or come in the evening, at any rate. Now to minor matters. Are your parents living?

Jack. I have lost both my parents.

Lady Bracknell. To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. Who was your father? He was evidently a man of some wealth. Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?

Jack. I am afraid I really don’t know. The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents. It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to have lost me . . . I don’t actually know who I am by birth. I was . . . well, I was found.

Lady Bracknell. Found!

Jack. The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the time. Worthing is a place in Sussex. It is a seaside resort.

Lady Bracknell. Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this seaside resort find you?

Jack. [Gravely]. In a hand-bag.

Lady Bracknell. A hand-bag?

Jack. [Very seriously]. Yes, Lady Bracknell. I was in a hand-bag—a somewhat large, black leather hand-bag, with handles to it—an ordinary hand-bag in fact.

Lady Bracknell. In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag?

Jack. In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his own.

Lady Bracknell. The cloak-room at Victoria Station?

Jack. Yes. The Brighton line.

Lady Bracknell. The line is immaterial. Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to? As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social indiscretion—has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before now—but it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position in good society.

Jack. May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s happiness.

Lady Bracknell. I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.

Jack. Well, I don’t see how I could possibly manage to do that. I can produce the hand-bag at any moment. It is in my dressing-room at home. I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell.

Lady Bracknell. Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter—a girl brought up with the utmost care—to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing!

[Lady Bracknell sweeps out in majestic indignation].

Jack. Good morning! [Algernon, from the other room, strikes up the Wedding March. Jack looks perfectly furious, and goes to the door]. For goodness’ sake don’t play that ghastly tune, Algy. How idiotic you are!

[The music stops and Algernon enters cheerily].

Algernon. Didn’t it go off all right, old boy? You don’t mean to say Gwendolen refused you? I know it is a way she has. She is always refusing people. I think it is most ill-natured of her.

Jack. Oh, Gwendolen is as right as a trivet. As far as she is concerned, we are engaged. Her mother is perfectly unbearable. Never met such a Gorgon . . . I don’t really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure that Lady Bracknell is one. In any case, she is a monster, without being a myth, which is rather unfair . . . I beg your pardon, Algy, I suppose I shouldn’t talk about your own aunt in that way before you.

Algernon. My dear boy, I love hearing my relations abused. It is the only thing that makes me put up with them at all. Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.

Jack. Oh, that is nonsense!

Algernon. It isn’t!

Jack. Well, I won’t argue about the matter. You always want to argue about things.

Algernon. That is exactly what things were originally made for.

Jack. Upon my word, if I thought that, I’d shoot myself . . . [A pause]. You don’t think there is any chance of Gwendolen becoming like her mother in about a hundred and fifty years, do you, Algy?

Algernon. All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.

Jack. Is that clever?

Algernon. It is perfectly phrased! and quite as true as any observation in civilised life should be.

Jack. I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays. You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people. The thing has become an absolute public nuisance. I wish to goodness we had a few fools left.

Algernon. We have.

Jack. I should extremely like to meet them. What do they talk about?

Algernon. The fools? Oh! about the clever people, of course.

Jack. What fools!

Algernon. By the way, did you tell Gwendolen the truth about your being Ernest in town, and Jack in the country?

Jack. [In a very patronising manner]. My dear fellow, the truth isn’t quite the sort of thing one tells to a nice, sweet, refined girl. What extraordinary ideas you have about the way to behave to a woman!

Algernon. The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and to some one else, if she is plain.

Jack. Oh, that is nonsense.

Algernon. What about your brother? What about the profligate Ernest?

Jack. Oh, before the end of the week I shall have got rid of him. I’ll say he died in Paris of apoplexy. Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don’t they?

Algernon. Yes, but it’s hereditary, my dear fellow. It’s a sort of thing that runs in families. You had much better say a severe chill.

Jack. You are sure a severe chill isn’t hereditary, or anything of that kind?

Algernon. Of course it isn’t!

Jack. Very well, then. My poor brother Ernest to carried off suddenly, in Paris, by a severe chill. That gets rid of him.

Algernon. But I thought you said that . . . Miss Cardew was a little too much interested in your poor brother Ernest? Won’t she feel his loss a good deal?

Jack. Oh, that is all right. Cecily is not a silly romantic girl, I am glad to say. She has got a capital appetite, goes long walks, and pays no attention at all to her lessons.

Algernon. I would rather like to see Cecily.

Jack. I will take very good care you never do. She is excessively pretty, and she is only just eighteen.

Algernon. Have you told Gwendolen yet that you have an excessively pretty ward who is only just eighteen?

Jack. Oh! one doesn’t blurt these things out to people. Cecily and Gwendolen are perfectly certain to be extremely great friends. I’ll bet you anything you like that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister.

Algernon. Women only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things first. Now, my dear boy, if we want to get a good table at Willis’s, we really must go and dress. Do you know it is nearly seven?

Jack. [Irritably]. Oh! It always is nearly seven.

Algernon. Well, I’m hungry.

Jack. I never knew you when you weren’t . . .

Algernon. What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre?

Jack. Oh no! I loathe listening.

Algernon. Well, let us go to the Club?

Jack. Oh, no! I hate talking.

Algernon. Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?

Jack. Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly.

Algernon. Well, what shall we do?

Jack. Nothing!

Algernon. It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.

[Enter Lane].

Lane. Miss Fairfax.

[Enter Gwendolen. Lane goes out].

Algernon. Gwendolen, upon my word!

Gwendolen. Algy, kindly turn your back. I have something very particular to say to Mr. Worthing.

Algernon. Really, Gwendolen, I don’t think I can allow this at all.

Gwendolen. Algy, you always adopt a strictly immoral attitude towards life. You are not quite old enough to do that. [Algernon retires to the fireplace].

Jack. My own darling!

Gwendolen. Ernest, we may never be married. From the expression on mamma’s face I fear we never shall. Few parents nowadays pay any regard to what their children say to them. The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying out. Whatever influence I ever had over mamma, I lost at the age of three. But although she may prevent us from becoming man and wife, and I may marry some one else, and marry often, nothing that she can possibly do can alter my eternal devotion to you.

Jack. Dear Gwendolen!

Gwendolen. The story of your romantic origin, as related to me by mamma, with unpleasing comments, has naturally stirred the deeper fibres of my nature. Your Christian name has an irresistible fascination. The simplicity of your character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me. Your town address at the Albany I have. What is your address in the country?

Jack. The Manor House, Woolton, Hertfordshire.

[Algernon, who has been carefully listening, smiles to himself, and writes the address on his shirt-cuff. Then picks up the Railway Guide].

Gwendolen. There is a good postal service, I suppose? It may be necessary to do something desperate. That of course will require 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 round now.

Algernon. Thanks, I’ve turned round already.

Gwendolen. You may also ring the bell.

Jack. You will let me see you to your carriage, 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 several letters on a salver to Algernon. It is to be surmised that they are bills, as Algernon, after looking at the envelopes, tears them up].

Algernon. A glass of sherry, Lane.

Lane. Yes, sir.

Algernon. To-morrow, Lane, I’m going Bunburying.

Lane. Yes, sir.

Algernon. I shall probably not be back till Monday. You can put up my dress clothes, my smoking jacket, and all the Bunbury suits . . .

Lane. Yes, sir. [Handing sherry].

Algernon. I hope to-morrow will be a fine day, Lane.

Lane. It never is, sir.

Algernon. Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist.

Lane. I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.

[Enter Jack. Lane goes off].

Jack. There’s a sensible, intellectual girl! the only girl I ever cared for in my life. [Algernon is laughing immoderately]. What on earth are you so amused at?

Algernon. Oh, I’m a little anxious about poor Bunbury, that is all.

Jack. If you don’t take care, your friend Bunbury will get you into a serious scrape some day.

Algernon. I love scrapes. They are the only things that are never serious.
Jack. Oh, that’s nonsense, Algy. You never talk anything but nonsense.

Algernon. Nobody ever does.

[Jack looks indignantly at him, and leaves the room. Algernon lights a cigarette, reads his shirt-cuff, and smiles].

ACT DROP.