Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/282

 was robbing you and the children, and I could never forgive myself, even though you might forgive me.

. Yes, there are things which we can never forgive ourselves. But don't hurt Isabel. Surely she must have noticed that woman coquetting with her husband, when everybody else has noticed it.

. Coquetting? Coquetting? Well, I call it cocotting, and precious little pretense about it either. That is the only term that describes it.

. Isabel again!… Change the subject.

. [To ] I must say that you are unobservant. I have been pulling at your sleeve for the past half-hour, as a signal for you to follow me; but you were oblivious. I wish to speak with you.

. Didn't you see María Antonia pulling me by the other sleeve as a signal for me not to follow? She also wishes to speak with me.

. When it is a question between mother and daughter, although the heart may incline to youth, courtesy must sacrifice itself to age.

. In this case, courtesy and the heart were of one accord, but María Antonia has a grip which is terrific. However, I remain in my part.

. In your part? What is your part?

. Don't you know, my friend? That of universal confidant, of everybody's friend, or rather the friend of everybody's friend. I am like a telephone central; people call me up in order to establish a connection. It is not a glorious rôle, as you must confess.

. But how necessary!