parasol.]

Gwendolen. [Looking round.] Quite a well-kept garden this is, Miss
Cardew.

Cecily. So glad you like it, Miss Fairfax.

Gwendolen. I had no idea there were any flowers in the country.

Cecily. Oh, flowers are as common here, Miss Fairfax, as people are
in London.

Gwendolen. Personally I cannot understand how anybody manages to
exist in the country, if anybody who is anybody does. The country
always bores me to death.

Cecily. Ah! This is what the newspapers call agricultural
depression, is it not? I believe the aristocracy are suffering very
much from it just at present. It is almost an epidemic amongst
them, I have been told. May I offer you some tea, Miss Fairfax?

Gwendolen. [With elaborate politeness.] Thank you. [Aside.]
Detestable girl! But I require tea!

Cecily. [Sweetly.] Sugar?

Gwendolen. [Superciliously.] No, thank you. Sugar is not
fashionable any more. [Cecily looks angrily at her, takes up the
tongs and puts four lumps of sugar into the cup.]