Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/258

. I shall return immediately. I will ask my friends to postpone it until another day, or else go on without me. Unless I hurry, I shall be late… What is the matter? Don't make a scene. God knows nothing could be more unpleasant!

. [Aside to ] Yes, hurry as much as you can, you may slip away later. We shall not sit long at table, as I have an engagement myself. Better humor María Antonia.

. I shall be back directly—directly, I promise you.

. Suit yourself.

. Good-by, then. Now don't make up any stories about me.

. I shall not make up any stories.

. Isabel, make it all right with María Antonia. You know how it is…

. Of course, although if you are not coming back, I advise you to say so.

. No, I am coming—on my word of honor! Directly!

. Now you can tell us the truth. Isabel says that you are unhappy, that you are dissatisfied with your husband. How is that? Have you any ground for complaint?

. No, none whatever. I was joking with Isabel. It amuses me to see how fond Pepe has suddenly become of the theatre. Because his friend Castrojeriz, who is keeping some soprano or other, wants to exhibit his mistress in public and ruin himself as a manager, is no reason why Pepe should haunt the playhouse day and night. He isn't the prompter or leader of the orchestra. Now we have a steady stream of actors running to the house asking for recommendations, to say nothing of authors who want a good word said for their plays. Only yesterday, I re-