Lord Illingworth. You will be the pattern secretary, Gerald. [Talks to him.]
Mrs. Allonby. You enjoy country life, Miss Worsley?
Hester. Very much indeed.
Mrs. Allonby. Don’t find yourself longing for a London dinner-party?
Hester. I dislike London dinner-parties.
Mrs. Allonby. I adore them. The clever people never listen, and the stupid people never talk.
Hester. I think the stupid people talk a great deal.
Mrs. Allonby. Ah, I never listen!
Lord Illingworth. My dear boy, if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t have made you the offer. It is because I like you so much that I want to have you with me.
[Exit Hester with Gerald.]