Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/259

 ceived an applicant for the chorus, chaperoned by her mother…

. How exciting!

. She insisted upon the girl's singing the romanza from "The First Officer."

. If that was all, it was not so bad, though no doubt it was trying. You must remember that Pepe has seen very little of the world. His father brought him up very strictly; he was put to work when he was a mere boy. Naturally, he is interested in these light girlish frolics. An opportunity has offered to peep behind the scenes in a theatre—behind the scenes, just imagine it! And up to that time the boy had seen practically nothing. He was delighted, as was to be expected. A great many thoroughly respectable persons who have no connection with the theatre professionally, spend their time about the dressing-rooms and behind the scenes, studying the performances and observing what goes on at rehearsals. When we wish our own doctor, for example, we always send to the theatre for him, and his diagnoses have become purely theatric. If nothing is the matter, he says: "Pshaw! A performance will do you good to-morrow evening." If it is serious, he says: "This is too bad! I advise you to remain away from the opening." And our doctor is a sober and dignified man, a gentleman, and a fine physician.

. Do not exert yourself to convince me. I knew, of course, that you were going to side with Pepe.

. My point is that if you wish to prevent him from taking his relaxation away from home, and from you, sulking and complaining and making it thoroughly unpleasant is about the worst system you could adopt for the purpose.

. Your father is right about that.