认真的重要性.doc

John Worthing, J. P.
Algernon Moncrieff
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D. D.
Merriman, Butler
Lane, Manservant
Lady Bracknell
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess
ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff's Flat in Half-Moon Street, II. The Garden at the Manor House, III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.
TIME: The Present. (1895)
SCENE
Morning-room in Algernon's flat in Half-Moon Street. The room isluxuriously and artistically furnished(decorate ,adorn, ornament). The sound of a piano isheard in the adjoining room.
(LANE is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the musichas ceased, ALGERNON enters. )
ALGERNON. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?
LANE. I didn't think it polite to listen, sir.
ALGERNON. I'm sorry for that, for your sake. I don't urately - any one can play accurately - but I play withwonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentimentis my forte. I keep science for Life.
LANE. Yes, sir.
ALGERNON. And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got thecucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?
LANE. Yes, sir. (Hands them on a salver. )
ALGERNON. (Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa. )Oh! . . . by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursdaynight, when Lord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me,eight bottles of champagne are entered as having been consumed.
LANE. Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.
, made me inhis .
ALGERNON. Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment theservants invariably drink the champagne? I ask merely for information.
LANE. I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. Ihave often observed that in married households the champagne israrely of a first-rate brand.
ALGERNON. Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?
LANE. I believe it IS a very pleasant state, sir. I have had verylittle experience of it myself up to the present. I have only beenmarried once. That was in consequence of a misunderstandingbetwe