CECILY.
[Sternly, in a calm voice.] Yes, as usual. [Merriman begins to clear table and lay cloth. A long pause. Cecily and Gwendolen glare at each other.]
GWENDOLEN.
Are there many interesting walks in the vicinity, Miss Cardew?
CECILY.
Oh! yes! a great many. From the top of one of the hills quite close one can see five counties.
GWENDOLEN.
Five counties! I don’t think I should like that; I hate crowds.
CECILY.
[Sweetly.] I suppose that is why you live in town? [Gwendolen bites her lip, and beats her foot nervously with her parasol.]
GWENDOLEN.
[Looking round.] Quite a well-kept garden this is, Miss Cardew.
CECILY.
So glad you like it, Miss Fairfax.
GWENDOLEN.
I had no idea there were any flowers in the country.
CECILY.
Oh, flowers are as common here, Miss Fairfax, as people are in London.
GWENDOLEN.
Personally I cannot understand how anybody manages to exist in the country, if anybody who is anybody does. The country always bores me to death.