Part 1 - Pages 1-51 Flashcards
We will repeat yesterday’s lesson
But I don’t like German. It isn’t at all a becoming language. I know perfectly well that I look quite plain after my German lesson.
Indeed, he always lays stress on your German grammar when he is leaving for town.
Dear Uncle Jack is so very serious! Sometimes he is so serious that I think he cannot be quite well.
I know no one who has a higher sense of duty and responsibility.
I suppose that is why he often looks a little bored when we three are together.
You must remember his constant anxiety about that unfortunate young man his brother
I wish uncle Jack would allow that unfortunate young man his brother to come down here sometimes. We might have a good influence over him, Ms. Prism. I am sure you certainly would. You know German and geology and things of that kind influence a man very much.
I really don’t see why you should keep a diary at all
I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life. If I didn’t write them down, I should probably forget all about them.
Memory, my dear Cecily, is the diary that we all carry about with us.
Yes, but it usually chronicles the things that have never happened, and couldn’t possibly have happened. I believe that memory is responsible for nearly all the 3 volume novels that Mudie sends us.
I wrote one myself in earlier days.
Did you really, Ms. Prism? How wonderfully clever you are! I hope it did not end happily? I don’t like novels that end happily. They depress me so much.
That is what fiction means.
I suppose so. But it seems very unfair. And was your novel ever published?
To your work, child, these speculations are profitless.
But I see dear Dr. Chasuble coming up through the garden.
Ms. Prism, you are, I trust, well?
Ms. Prism has just been complaining of a slight headache. I think it would do her so much good to have a short stroll with you in the park, Dr. Chasuble.
Cecily, I haven’t mentioned anything about a headache.
No, dear Ms. Prism, I know that, but I felt instinctively that you had a headache. Indeed I was thinking about that, and not about my German lesson, when the rector came in.
I hope, Cecily, you are not inattentive.
Oh I am afraid I am.
Even these metallic problems have their melodramatic side.
Horrid Political Economy, horrid Geography! horrid, horrid German!
He has brought his luggage with him.
Mr. Ernest Worthing, B4, the Albany, W. Uncle Jack’s brother! Did you tell him Mr. Worthing was in town?
He said he was anxious to speak to you privately for a moment.
Ask Mr. Ernest Worthing to come here. I suppose you had better talk to the housekeeper about a room for him.
Yes, Miss.
I have never met a really wicked person before. I feel rather frightened. I am so afraid he will look just like everyone else. He does!
You are my little cousin Cecily, I’m sure.
You are under some strange mistake. I am not little. In fact, i believe i am more than usually tall for my age. But i am your cousin cecily. You, i see from your card, are uncle jack’s brother, my cousin Ernest, my wicked cousin Ernest.
…you mustn’t think that i am wicked
If you are not, then you have certainly been deceiving us all in a very inexcusable manner. I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
..i have been rather reckless
I am glad to hear it
..very bad in my own small way
I don’t think you should be so proud of that, though i am sure it must have been very pleasant.
It is much pleasanter being here with you
I can’t understand how you are here at all. Uncle Jack won’t be back til Monday afternoon.
..i have a business appointment that I am anxious to miss
Couldn’t you miss it anywhere but in London?
No, the appointment is in London
Well, I know, of course, how important it is not to keep a business engagement, if one wants to retain any sense of the beauty of life, but still i think you had better wait til uncle Jack arrives. I know he wants to speak to you about your emigrating
About my what?
Your emigrating. He has gone up to buy your outfit
..no taste in neckties at all
I don’t think you will require neckties. Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia.
I’d sooner die
Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.
..this world is good enough for me, cousin cecily
Yes, but are you good enough for it?
..your mission if you don’t mind, cousin cecily
I’m afraid I’ve no time this afternoon
..my reforming myself this afternoon?
It is rather quixotic of you. But I think you should try
I feel better already
You are looking a little worse
..because i am hungry
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?
..unless i have a buttonhole first
A marechal niel?
..I’d sooner have a pink rose
Why?
..you are like a pink rose cousin cecily
I don’t think it can be right for you to talk to me like that. Ms. Prism never says such things to me.
..you are the prettiest girl i ever saw
Ms. Prism says that all good looks are a snare
..that every sensible man would like to be caught in
Oh, i don’t think i would care to catch a sensible man. I shouldn’t know what to talk to him about.
..a blessing of an extremely obvious kind
Uncle jack! Oh, i am pleased to see you back. But what horrid clothes you have got on! Do go and change them
My child, my child,
What is the matter, uncle Jack? Do look happy? You look as if you had toothache, and i have got such a surprise for you. Who do you think is in the dining room? Your brother!
Who?
Your brother Ernest. He arrived about half an hour ago
..I haven’t got a brother
Oh, don’t say that. Howver badly he may have behaved to you in the past he is still your brother. You couldn’t be so heartless as to disown him. I’ll tell him to come out. And you will shake hands with him, won’t you, uncle jack?
..i intend to lead a better life in the future
Uncle Jack, you are not going to refuse your own brother’s hand?
..he knows perfectly well why
Uncle Jack, do be nice. There is some good in everyone. Ernest has just been telling me about his poor invalid friend mr Bunbury whom he goes to visit so often. And surely there must be much good in one who is kind to an invalid, and leaves the pleasures of London to sit by a bed of pain
..talking about Bunbury, has he?
Yes, he has told me all about poor mr. Bunbury and his terrible state of health
..it is the first time i have come here
Uncle Jack, if you don’t shake hands with Ernest i will never forgive you
Never forgive me?
Never never never!
Cecily you will come with us
Certainly ms. Prism. My little task of reconciliation is over
..premature in our judgements
I feel very happy
