Short Answer 
The excerpt employs a playful pun on the word “little,” highlighting its meanings of “small” and “young,” which enriches the comedic dialogue between Algernon and Cecily. Their disagreement regarding Cecily’s stature adds humor, emphasizing her self-perception and the layered meanings behind the term.
Understanding the Pun
The excerpt uses the word “little” in a playful manner, implying both its meanings: small and young. This duality is essential for understanding the comedic context in the dialogue. The pun suggests a layered meaning that contrasts physical size with age, making the conversation more engaging.
Analyzing the Dialogue
Within the dialogue between Algernon and Cecily, there is a clear disagreement regarding Cecily’s stature. Cecily asserts that she is not little, emphasizing her height as being significant for her age. This disagreement adds a layer of humor to the situation, as both characters engage in a light-hearted banter regarding the term “little.”
Identifying Key Takeaways
From the conversation, we can extract the two key definitions of “little”: small and young. These definitions are important in understanding the context of Cecily’s character and her perception of herself. Thus, the correct answers for the pun’s meanings are options C (Small) and E (Young).