Algernon About my what?

Cecily Your emigrating. He has gone up to buy your outfit.

Algernon I certainly wouldn’t let Jack buy my outfit. He has no taste in neckties at all.

Cecily I don’t think you will require neckties. Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia.

Algernon Australia! I’d sooner die.

Cecily Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.

Algernon Oh, well! The accounts I have received of Australia and the next world are not particularly encouraging. This world is good enough for me, cousin Cecily.

Cecily Yes, but are you good enough for it?

Algernon I’m afraid I’m not that. That is why I want you to reform me. You might make that your mission, if you don’t mind, cousin Cecily.

Cecily I’m afraid I’ve no time, this afternoon.

Algernon Well, would you mind my reforming myself this afternoon?

Cecily It is rather Quixotic° of you. But I think you should try.

Algernon I will. I feel better already.

Cecily You are looking a little worse.

Algernon That is because I am hungry.

Cecily How thoughtless of me. I should have remembered that when one is going to lead an entirely new life, one requires regular and wholesome meals. Won’t you come in?

Algernon Thank you. Might I have a buttonhole first? I have never any appetite unless I have a buttonhole first.

Cecily A Maréchal Niel?° (Picks up scissors)

Algernon No, I’d sooner have a pink rose.

Cecily Why? (Cuts a flower)

Algernon Because you are like a pink rose, cousin Cecily.

Cecily I don’t think it can be right for you to talk to me like that. Miss Prism never says such things to me.

Algernon Then Miss Prism is a short-sighted old lady. (Cecily puts the rose in his buttonhole) You are the prettiest girl I ever saw.

Cecily Miss Prism says that all good looks are a snare.

Algernon They are a snare that every sensible man would like to be caught in.