Aristocracy (Social class) -- Drama; Marriage -- Drama; Mothers and daughters -- Drama
DUMBY. I didn’t say it as a matter of conceit. I said it as a matter of
regret. I have been wildly, madly adored. I am sorry I have. It has
been an immense nuisance. I should like to be allowed a little time to
myself now and then.
LORD AUGUSTUS. [_Looking round_.] Time to educate yourself, I suppose.
DUMBY. No, time to forget all I have learned. That is much more
important, dear Tuppy. [LORD AUGUSTUS _moves uneasily in his chair_.]
LORD DARLINGTON. What cynics you fellows are!
CECIL GRAHAM. What is a cynic? [_Sitting on the back of the sofa_.]
LORD DARLINGTON. A man who knows the price of everything and the value
of nothing.
CECIL GRAHAM. And a sentimentalist, my dear Darlington, is a man who
sees an absurd value in everything, and doesn’t know the market price of
any single thing.
LORD DARLINGTON. You always amuse me, Cecil. You talk as if you were a
man of experience.
CECIL GRAHAM. I am. [_Moves up to front off fireplace_.]
LORD DARLINGTON. You are far too young!
CECIL GRAHAM. That is a great error. Experience is a question of
instinct about life. I have got it. Tuppy hasn’t. Experience is the
name Tuppy gives to his mistakes. That is all. [LORD AUGUSTUS _looks
round indignantly_.]
DUMBY. Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.
CECIL GRAHAM. [_Standing with his back to the fireplace_.] One
shouldn’t commit any. [_Sees_ LADY WINDERMERE’S _fan on sofa_.]
DUMBY. Life would be very dull without them.
CECIL GRAHAM. Of course you are quite faithful to this woman you are in
love with, Darlington, to this good woman?
LORD DARLINGTON. Cecil, if one really loves a woman, all other women in
the world become absolutely meaningless to one. Love changes one—_I_ am
changed.
CECIL GRAHAM. Dear me! How very interesting! Tuppy, I want to talk to
you. [LORD AUGUSTUS _takes no notice_.]
DUMBY. It’s no use talking to Tuppy. You might just as well talk to a
brick wall.
CECIL GRAHAM. But I like talking to a brick wall—it’s the only thing in
the world that never contradicts me! Tuppy!
LORD AUGUSTUS. Well, what is it? What is it? [_Rising and going over
to_ CECIL GRAHAM.]
CECIL GRAHAM. Come over here. I want you particularly. [_Aside_.]
Darlington has been moralising and talking about the purity of love, and
that sort of thing, and he has got some woman in his rooms all the time.
LORD AUGUSTUS. No, really! really!
CECIL GRAHAM. [_In a low voice_.] Yes, here is her fan. [_Points to
the fan_.]
LORD AUGUSTUS. [_Chuckling_.] By Jove! By Jove!
LORD WINDERMERE. [_Up by door_.] I am really off now, Lord Darlington.
I am sorry you are leaving England so soon. Pray call on us when you
come back! My wife and I will be charmed to see you!
LORD DARLINGTON. [_Upstage with_ LORD WINDERMERE.] I am afraid I shall
be away for many years. Good-night!
CECIL GRAHAM. Arthur!
LORD WINDERMERE. What?
CECIL GRAHAM. I want to speak to you for a moment. No, do come!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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