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Journey back to Victorian London with us for the fourth episode of The Importance of Being Earnest, based on the original comedy by Oscar Wilde.
Algernon has secretly managed to find out the address of Jack's house in the country - the house where he lives with Cecily. He decides to pay Cecily a visit, pretending to be Jack's wicked younger brother, Ernest.
While you listen to the audio, see how many examples of the past perfect continuous you can spot. Then take a look at the transcript to see them in bold.
NarratorAlgernon secretly managed to find out the address of Jack's house in the country – the house where he lives with Cecily. We now Cecily, a pretty girl of eighteen, and her governess Miss Prism – that's the lady who looks after her, in their garden on a summer's day. They're studying German grammar, but Cecily seems more interested in the flowers.
Miss PrismCecily! Leave the flowers. Sit down and we'll look at the German verbs.
CecilyBut I really don't like German.
Miss PrismCecily, you know Mr Worthing wants you to improve yourself.
CecilyDear Uncle Jack is so serious!
Miss PrismCecily! I am surprised at you. You know the problems Mr Worthing has. You must how worried he is about his unfortunate young brother.
CecilyI wish Uncle Jack would let that unfortunate young man, his brother, come here sometimes. Oh, Miss Prism… Look who's coming… It's Reverend Chasuble.
NarratorAnd indeed, they hadn't noticed the middle-aged man walking up the garden because they had been talking so energetically about Jack.
Miss PrismReverend Chasuble! This is a pleasure.
ChasubleOh, Miss Prism, I hope you are well?
CecilyMiss Prism has just been complaining of a headache. I think it would be good for her to have a short walk with you in the park, Reverend.
Miss PrismI haven't mentioned anything about a headache.
CecilyNo, dear Miss Prism, I know that, but I thought you had been looking like you might get one.
ChasubleMr Worthing, I suppose, has not returned from London yet?
Miss PrismHe won't be back until Monday afternoon.
ChasubleAh yes, he likes spending Sunday in London. He's not one of those people who spend all their time enjoying themselves, not like that young man his brother.
Miss PrismI think, dear Reverend, I will have a walk with you. I find I have a headache after all, and a walk might do it good.
ChasubleWith pleasure, Miss Prism.
Miss PrismCecily, you can read your economics book while I'm gone.
NarratorSo Miss Prism and Dr Chasuble wander off, leaving Cecily alone. She immediately shuts her book on economics and is about to get up when Merriman, the butler, arrives.
MerrimanMr Ernest Worthing has just driven over from the station.
CecilyUncle Jack's brother! Did you tell him Mr Worthing was in London?
MerrimanYes, Miss. He seemed very disappointed. He had been hoping to find Mr Worthing at home and had been planning to stay the night. I mentioned that you and Miss Prism were in the garden. He said he would like to talk to you for a moment.
CecilyAsk him to come here.
MerrimanYes, Miss.
CecilyI have never met a really wicked person before.
NarratorAlgernon enters looking stylish and confident.
AlgernonYou are my little cousin Cecily, I'm sure.
CecilyYou are mistaken. I am not little. In fact, I believe I am unusually tall for my age.
AlgernonOh, I'm sorry…
CecilyBut I am your cousin Cecily. You are Uncle Jack's brother, my cousin Ernest, my wicked cousin Ernest.
AlgernonOh! I'm not really wicked at all, cousin Cecily.
CecilyIf you aren't, then you have been deceiving us all. I hope you haven't been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time.
AlgernonOh! Of course I have been rather reckless.
CecilyI am glad to hear it.
AlgernonIn fact, now you mention it, I've been very bad in my own small way.
CecilyI don't think you should be so proud of that, though I am sure it has been very pleasant.
AlgernonIt is much pleasanter being here with you.
CecilyI can't understand why you are here at all. Uncle Jack isn't back until Monday afternoon.
AlgernonHow disappointing! I have to go back to London early on Monday morning.
CecilyWell, I think you should wait till Uncle Jack arrives. I know he wants to speak to you about you emigrating.
AlgernonAbout me what?
CecilyYou emigrating. He's gone to London to buy you some clothes.
AlgernonI'm not happy about Jack buying my clothes. I don't like his style of ties at all.
CecilyI don't think you'll need ties. Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia.
AlgernonAustralia! I'd sooner die.
CecilyWell, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.
AlgernonOh, well! I haven't heard very good things about Australia or the next world. This world is good enough for me, cousin Cecily.
CecilyYes, but are you good enough for it?
AlgernonI'm afraid I'm not. That is why you have to reform me, cousin Cecily.
CecilyI'm sorry, I don't have time this morning.
AlgernonWell, will you have time to reform me this afternoon?
CecilyI think you should try.
AlgernonI will, but I will need a little something to eat first. I'm a little hungry.
CecilyHow thoughtless of me! Won't you come in for something to eat?
AlgernonThank you. Could I have one of your flowers first?
CecilyCertainly.
AlgernonI'd like a pink rose.
CecilyWhy?
AlgernonBecause you are like a pink rose, cousin Cecily.
CecilyI don't think it can be right for you to talk to me like that. Miss Prism never says such things to me.
AlgernonThen Miss Prism is a short-sighted old lady. You are the prettiest girl I ever saw.
NarratorAlgernon and Cecily go up to the house. Miss Prism and Reverend Chasuble, who had been walking and discussing the advantages of marriage for single men, also return home. But someone else is now walking up the garden path. It's Jack! He's back early. He's dressed in black and looking very serious.
Miss PrismMr Worthing! This is indeed a surprise. We thought you were coming back on Monday!
ChasubleDear Mr Worthing, I hope this black suit does not mean some terrible news?
JackMy brother.
Miss PrismSpending lots of money and running up debts again?
ChasubleStill leading his life of pleasure?
JackDead!
ChasubleYour brother Ernest, dead?
JackQuite dead.
governessan old-fashione word for a woman who lives with a family and teaches the children
unfortunatedescribing someone who is in an embarrassing or unpleasant situation
Reverendform of address to a Christian priest
butlerthe most important male servant in a house
wickedmorally bad
deceiving (to deceive)tricking people into believing something to be true when it isn't
recklessacting without thinking of the possible effects of your actions
emigrating (to emigrate)leaving one country to go and live in another
reformto change someone's behaviour so they are a better person
debtmoney that one person or organisation owes to another person or organisation
Miss Prism: Catherine Chapman
Miss Cecily Cardew: Alice Brown
Reverend Chasuble: Rob Carter
Merriman: Michael Harrison
Algernon Moncreiff: Darren Benedict
Jack Worthing: Tim Gibson
Narrator: Finn Aberdein
Original play written by: Oscar Wilde
Adaptation by: Sue Mushin
Illustrator: Magdolna Terray
ELT consultant: Catherine Chapman
Producer: Finn Aberdein
All is revealed in the final episode
Lady Bracknell makes a surprise appearance
It's time for the men to it they're not called Ernest
Cecily and Gwendolen both think they're engaged to someone called Ernest. When they meet it can't go well, can it?
Algernon and Cecily's relationship takes an interesting twist
Jack returns home to find his friend Algernon there. Algernon's pretending to be Jack's brother so he can win Cecily's heart
Algernon secretly goes to visit Cecily. He's pretending to be Jack's wicked younger brother, Ernest
Jack has proposed to his darling Gwendolen, and she has accepted. But her mother is not happy.
Algernon and Jack reveal they both lead double lives. But can Jack win the heart of the woman he really loves?
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