ALGERNON.
He’s going to send me away.
CECILY.
Then have we got to part?
ALGERNON.
I am afraid so. It’s a very painful parting.
CECILY.
It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable.
ALGERNON.
Thank you.
[Enter Merriman.]
MERRIMAN.
The dog-cart is at the door, sir. [Algernon looks appealingly at Cecily.]
CECILY.
It can wait, Merriman for . . . five minutes.
MERRIMAN.
Yes, Miss. [Exit Merriman.]
ALGERNON.
I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection.