Gwendolen. Outside the family circle, papa, I am glad to say, is
entirely unknown. I think that is quite as it should be. The home
seems to me to be the proper sphere for the man. And certainly once
a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully
effeminate, does he not? And I don't like that. It makes men so
very attractive. Cecily, mamma, whose views on education are
remarkably strict, has brought me up to be extremely short-sighted;
it is part of her system; so do you mind my looking at you through
my glasses?

Cecily. Oh! not at all, Gwendolen. I am very fond of being looked
at.

Gwendolen. [After examining Cecily carefully through a lorgnette.]
You are here on a short visit, I suppose.

Cecily. Oh no! I live here.

Gwendolen. [Severely.] Really? Your mother, no doubt, or some
female relative of advanced years, resides here also?

Cecily. Oh no! I have no mother, nor, in fact, any relations.

Gwendolen. Indeed?

Cecily. My dear guardian, with the assistance of Miss Prism, has
the arduous task of looking after me.

Gwendolen. Your guardian?