ALGERNON.
[Looks at her in amazement.] Oh! Of course I have been rather reckless.
CECILY.
I am glad to hear it.
ALGERNON.
In fact, now you mention the subject, I have been very bad in my own small way.
CECILY.
I don’t think you should be so proud of that, though I am sure it must have been very pleasant.
ALGERNON.
It is much pleasanter being here with you.
CECILY.
I can’t understand how you are here at all. Uncle Jack won’t be back till Monday afternoon.
ALGERNON.
That is a great disappointment. I am obliged to go up by the first train on Monday morning. I have a business appointment that I am anxious . . . to miss?
CECILY.
Couldn’t you miss it anywhere but in London?
ALGERNON.
No: the appointment is in London.
CECILY.
Well, I know, of course, how important it is not to keep a business engagement, if one wants to retain any sense of the beauty of life, but still I think you had better wait till Uncle Jack arrives. I know he wants to speak to you about your emigrating.