Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/198

. Prohibition?

. Yes, man, yes. Prohibition!

. [Alarmed] Why, don't you think… Doesn't it seem to you…

. No, no, I don't think. You have reasons of your own, no doubt. At your disposition, Don Baldomero.

. Sit down, my son; sit down.

. [Aside to ] How affable!

. [To Manolo] You are making progress. He wants to speak with you alone. What luck! Pardon me…

. How is it that after having given permission, he now retracts it? That will put him in a pretty position.

. If I were you, I wouldn't concern myself about it. You are not responsible—especially since you won't be here when the performance takes place.

. I won't be here?

. No, as you are going away beforehand.

. I? Going away? Who told you so?

. Nobody. I am telling you. You are going because I wish it, because it is not convenient for me to have you stay.

. You are not speaking seriously.

. It is necessary to be frank with you; for that reason I speak seriously.

. Do you mean to tell me

. It is the simplest thing in the world. All you have to do is to resign your position, upon any pretext which may occur to you at the moment, pack your trunk, and return by the first train to Madrid.

. Because you wish it? Because you tell me to?

. Not at all. Because it is for your best interests to do so, because in that way you will avoid unpleas-