om the manager of the Grand Hotel.

Chasuble. Was the cause of death mentioned?

Jack. A severe chill, it seems.

Miss Prism. As a man sows, so shall he reap.

Chasuble. [Raising his hand.] Charity, dear Miss Prism, charity! None
of us are perfect. I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts. Will
the interment take place here?

Jack. No. He seems to have expressed a desire to be buried in Paris.

Chasuble. In Paris! [Shakes his head.] I fear that hardly points to
any very serious state of mind at the last. You would no doubt wish me
to make some slight allusion to this tragic domestic affliction next
Sunday. [Jack presses his hand convulsively.] My sermon on the meaning
of the manna in the wilderness can be adapted to almost any occasion,
joyful, or, as in the present case, distressing. [All sigh.] I have
preached it at harvest celebrations, christenings, confirmations, on days
of humiliation and festal days. The last time I delivered it was in the
Cathedral, as a charity sermon on behalf of the Society for the
Prevention of Discontent among the Upper Orders. The Bishop, who was
present, was much struck by some of the analogies I drew.

Jack. Ah! that reminds me, you mentioned christenings I think, Dr.
Chasuble? I suppose you know how to christen all right? [Dr. Chasuble
looks astounded.] I mean, of course, you are continually christening,
aren't you?

Miss Prism. It is, I regret to say, one of the Rector's most constant
duties in this parish. I have often spoken to the poorer classes on the
subject. But they don't seem to know what thrift is.

Chasuble. But is there any particular infant in whom you are interested,
Mr. Worthing? Your brother was, I believe, unmarried, was he not?

Jack. Oh yes.

Miss Prism. [Bitterly.] People who live entirely for pleasure usually
are.

Jack. But it is not for any child, dear Doctor. I am very fond of
children. No! the fact is, I would like to be christened myself, this
afternoon, if you have nothing better to do.

Chasuble. But surely, Mr. Worthing, you have been christened already?

Jack. I don't remember anything about it.

Chasuble. But have you any grave doubts on the subject?

Jack. I certainly intend to have. Of course I don't know if the thing
would bother you in any way, or if you think I am a little too old now.

Chasuble. Not at all. The sprinkling, and, indeed, the immersion of
adults is a perfectly canonical