The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest(ˈərnist)

by Oscar(ˈäskər) Wilde

INT: ALGERNON’S FLAT(flat) — MORNING
Lady Bracknell, an elderly(ˈeldərlē) woman, is speaking to Algernon, who is courting her daughter.
LADY BRACKNELL
Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd(-ˈzərd,əbˈsərd). Nor do I in any way approve of the modern(ˈmädərn) sympathy(ˈsimpəTHē) with invalids(inˈvalid,ˈinvəlid). I consider it morbid(ˈmôrbəd). Illness(ˈilnis) of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others. Health is the primary duty(ˈd(y)o͞otē) of life. I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice…as far as any improvement in his ailment(ˈālmənt) goes. I should be much obliged(əˈblīj) if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday(-dē,ˈsatərˌdā), for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season(ˈsēzən) when every one has practically(ˈpraktik(ə)lē) said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.

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