[Enter Algernon, very gay and debonnair.] He does!

Algernon. [Raising his hat.] You are my little cousin Cecily, I'm
sure.

Cecily. You are under some strange mistake. I am not little. In
fact, I believe I am more than usually tall for my age. [Algernon
is rather taken aback.] But I am your cousin Cecily. You, I see
from your card, are Uncle Jack's brother, my cousin Ernest, my
wicked cousin Ernest.

Algernon. Oh! I am not really wicked at all, cousin Cecily. You
mustn't think that I am wicked.

Cecily. 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.

Algernon. [Looks at her in amazement.] Oh! Of course I have been
rather reckless.

Cecily. I am glad to hear it.

Algernon. In fact, now you mention the subject, I have been very
bad in my own small way.

Cecily. I don't think you should be so proud of that, though I am
sure it must have been very pleasant.