Algernon. But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins.
Jack. I said it was perfectly heartless of you, under the circumstances. That
is a very different thing.
Algernon. That may be. But the muffins are the same. [He seizes the
muffin-dish from
Jack .]
Jack. Algy, I wish to goodness you would go.
Algernon. You can’t possibly ask me to go without having some dinner. It’s
absurd. I never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except
vegetarians and people like that. Besides I have just made arrangements
with Dr. Chasuble to be christened at a quarter to six under the name of
Ernest.
Jack. My dear fellow, the sooner you give up that nonsense the better. I
made arrangements this morning with Dr. Chasuble to be christened myself
at 5.30, and I naturally will take the name of Ernest. Gwendolen would wish
it. We can’t both be christened Ernest. It’s absurd. Besides, I have a perfect
right to be christened if I like. There is no evidence at all that I have ever
been christened by anybody. I should think it extremely probable I never
was, and so does Dr. Chasuble. It is entirely different in your case. You have
been christened already.
Algernon. Yes, but I have not been christened for years.
Jack. Yes, but you have been christened. That is the important thing.
Algernon. Quite so. So I know my constitution can stand it. If you are not
quite sure about your ever having been christened, I must say I think it
rather dangerous your venturing on it now. It might make you very
unwell. You can hardly have forgotten that some one very closely
56
connected with you was very nearly carried off this week in Paris by a severe
chill.