Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/257

. I am at a loss to know how you can say that. I side with him because he is right; I put myself in his place.

. Exactly! In his place.

. Yes, in his place—why not? I am sure that Pepe would remain to dinner unless some very important engagement took him away.

. No doubt it seems important to him, which is sufficient. Why does a broker have to be present at a reading of a zarzuela?

. I told you the author is a friend of mine and it is my idea, substantially. I know the manager. Great heaven, can't a man go to the theatre? I must have some relaxation after a long and tiring day. If I had had my way, I should have been an actor, and I might have written plays, too, if I had had time, which would not have been worse than other popular successes. I have plenty of ideas—original ideas—and I never make a mistake as to what will prove acceptable. One rehearsal is ample for me to judge. If I were a manager, I should make money, naturally.

. Who ever heard of such foolishness? All he thinks of is the theatre—a theatre.

. A theatre, a theatre! Yes, because the manager is a friend of mine.

. Pepe, I had no idea that you were so fond of the theatre.

. It is my hobby—as innocent a hobby, I suppose, as a man could well have. Don't you agree with me?

. All hobbies are innocent, although I must say I had supposed that you had some better reason for not remaining to dinner.

. You see that even father deserts you. The reading must be important if they want to have you at it.