ACT 2 SCENE 7 Flashcards
[JACK leaves]
[Cecily sneaks in]
I think it has been a great success. I’m in love with Cecily, and that is everything. But I must see her before I go, and make arrangements for another Bunbury.
[Notices her.]
Ah, there she is!
CECILY: Oh, I merely came back to water the roses. I thought you were with Uncle Jack.
He’s gone to order the dog-cart for me.
CECILY: Oh, is he going to take you for a nice drive?
No. He’s going to send me away.
CECILY: Then have we got to part?
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. Even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable.
Thank you.
CECILY: It can wait, Merriman for… five minutes.
MERRIMAN: Yes, Miss.
I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be the visible personification of absolute perfection.
CECILY: I think your frankness does you great credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I will copy your remarks into my diary.
You also keep a diary? And you write it yourself! I’d give anything to look at it! May I?
CECILY: Oh no. [Closes it shut.] When it appears in volume form I hope you will order a copy. But pray, Ernest, don’t stop. I have reached ‘absolute perfection’. You may go on! I am quite ready for more.
… Ahem! Ahem!
CECILY: Oh, don’t cough, Ernest. I don’t know how to spell a cough.
… Cecily, ever since half past 12 this afternoon, when I first looked upon your wonderful and incomparable beauty, I have dared…
to love.. you. Wildly. Passionately…
Devotedly. … Hopelessly!
CECILY: I don’t think that you should tell me that you love me wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly. Hopelessly doesn’t seem to make much sense, does it?
[Seeing Merriman] Cecily!
