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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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15 JACK Gwendolen! GWEN Yes, Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me? JACK You know what I have got to say to you. GWEN Yes, but you don’t say it. JACK Gwendolen, will you marry me? [Goes on his knees.] GWEN Of course I will, darling. How long you have been about it! I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose. JACK My own one, I have never loved anyone in the world but you. GWEN Yes, but men often propose for practice. I know my brother Gerald does. All my girl-friends tell me so. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! They are quite, quite blue. I hope you will always look at me just like that, especially when there are other people present. [Enter Lady Bracknell.] LADY BRA Mr. Worthing! Rise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture. It is most indecorous. GWEN Mamma! [He tries to rise; she restrains him.] I must beg you to retire. This is no place for you. Besides, Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet. LADY BRA Finished what, may I ask? GWEN I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma. [They rise together.] LADY BRA Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself.... And now I have a few questions to put to you, Mr. Worthing. While I am making these inquiries, you, Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage. GWEN [Reproachfully.] Mamma! LADY BRA In the carriage, Gwendolen! |
