act 4 - part I

Algernon, darling!
You do recall we are having afternoon tea with Uncle Jack, Gwendolen and Aunt Augusta today, right?
Yes, Cecily?
Bags? What bags?
Your bags are packed and the carriage is on its way, Sir.
Thank you, Lane. You may be excused.
Well, did it really have to be today?
I’m afraid so, Cecily. I have to do this for my friend. I should get going. Goodbye, darling, I'll be back in a few days.
I’m sorry, darling, I guess I forgot to tell you. I must visit my old friend Jones. His wife just passed away.
This is not the first time Algernon has suddenly mentioned a friend of which I had never heard.
Your guests have arrived, ma’am.
Good afternoon, Aunt Augusta, Uncle Jack, Gwendolen. Come sit, the tea is served.
Cecily, where’s Algy? I thought he would be joining us.
Moral obligation, is it? Would that friend’s name happen to be Bunbury, by any chance?
Oh, he was, but sadly his old friend lost his wife, and he had the moral obligation to pay the poor man a visit.
No, not at all. It’s Jones, if I'm not mistaken. I had never heard of this friend until today.