The Importance of Being Earnest

Miss Prism.
This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious kind. 
[Enter 
Cecily
from the house.] 
Cecily.
Uncle Jack! Oh, I am pleased to see you back. But what horrid 
clothes you have got on! Do go and change them. 
Miss Prism. Cecily! 
Chasuble.
My child! my child! [
Cecily
goes towards 
Jack
; he kisses her brow 
in a melancholy manner.] 
Cecily.
What is the matter, Uncle Jack? Do look happy! You look as if you 
had toothache, and I have got such a surprise for you. Who do you think is 
in the dining-room? Your brother! 
Jack.
Who? 
Cecily.
Your brother Ernest. He arrived about half an hour ago. 
Jack.
What nonsense! I haven’t got a brother. 
Cecily.
Oh, don’t say that. However badly he may have behaved to you in 
the past he is still your brother. You couldn’t be so heartless as to disown 
him. I’ll tell him to come out. And you will shake hands with him, won’t you, 
Uncle Jack? [Runs back into the house.] 
Chasuble.
These are very joyful tidings. 
Miss Prism.
After we had all been resigned to his loss, his sudden return 
seems to me peculiarly distressing. 
Jack.
My brother is in the dining-room? I don’t know what it all means. I 
think it is perfectly absurd. 
[Enter 
Algernon
and 
Cecily
hand in hand. They come slowly up to 
Jack
.] 
Jack.
Good heavens! [Motions 
Algernon
away.] 
37

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Algernon.
Brother John, I have come down from town to tell you that I am 
very sorry for all the trouble I have given you, and that I intend to lead a 
better life in the future. [