Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/263

 although in the bitterness of disillusionment you may feel that revenge is the only relief. You will not do it, because you believe in your mother and you believe in me. You have faith in us both—she is in heaven, and I am still here at your side. If you have read your mother's letters, you understand what my life is; we have both borne the same sorrows. Yours cannot be greater, so do not let your resignation be less… Dry your eyes; here comes Laura. She will see that we have been crying.

. My dear Isabel! María Antonia…

. How effective! Your new gown is most striking.

. Do you really like it? The taste of my maid. I have not had a moment to look in the glass. This has been a terrible day for me—seven hours spent in a coach, which I paid for myself, all for the love of my fellow man.

. Are you still so active in benevolent work? You belong to all the charitable societies.

. I am vice-president of two, secretary of three, and treasurer of four, which goes without saying. The most difficult assignments invariably fall to me. "As you have no family, Laura, no children to take care of"… "As you have nothing to occupy your time"… They forget that I have children on all sides of me, while the whole world is my family, and I feel responsible for them all. I console myself as best I may for the misfortune—or the crime—of remaining single.

. Gracious! In your case it has been neither a misfortune nor a crime. One home and one family were not enough for you; you have embraced a wider field.

. A vulgar misapprehension. I keep house myself; I am a model housekeeper. I need scarcely remind you of the demands society makes upon my time.

. No, you go everywhere; I admire you for it.