Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/209

 who at one season or another have had to struggle and fight for their lives as we have done—all of us who are denied the luxury of a conscience which conforms to our acts, the disinherited, the oppressed. I may wear this livery of respectability, of the hypocrite, it is true, but I should be a dastard and a coward if I did not stand by his side, if I did not flaunt this society of Tartuffes, who pretend to defend their principles when they are merely defending their pockets. Liberty, patriotism, religion—fine words these for barricades behind which to bolster up their social position, their salaries, yes, or their interests in dives and gambling-hells, like Don Baldomero. At least I do not deceive—I fight in the open, and I hold to my own. You know that already. Choose! Decide for yourself—you are a woman of courage. You, too, have struggled up, and you ought to know upon which side are yours—upon theirs or upon ours!

. You are right. I often have thought so myself. We ought not to allow these people to impose upon us. We ought to teach them a lesson. What I don't see is how I am to convince my husband.

. Here he comes. You can try.

. He will think I am crazy.

. [Greatly pleased with himself] Well, I hope you will be satisfied. [To ] On the whole it is for the best. I have sent a complete explanation to the ministry, and an order of prohibition to the management. Why? What is the matter? What faces! Have I made another mistake? Josefina! Speak!

. Santiago, a wife ought never to meddle in her husband's affairs. She is too impressionable; the circle of her ideas is too limited, too confined… [Aside to ] How is that?