Page:Wilde - A Woman of no Importance, 1909.djvu/68

RhACT II. is why I think it is every woman's duty never to leave them alone for a single moment, except during this short breathing space after dinner; without which I believe we poor women would be absolutely worn to shadows.

[Enter Servants with coffee.]

LADY HUNSTANTON Worn to shadows, dear?

MRS. ALLONBY Yes, Lady Hunstanton. It is such a strain keeping men up to the mark. They are always trying to escape from us.

LADY STUTFIELD It seems to me that it is we who are always trying to escape from them. Men are so very, very heartless. They know their power and use it.

LADY CAROLINE [Takes coffee from Servant.] What stuff and nonsense all this about men is! The thing to do is to keep men in their proper place. 50