Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/156

. The change in my life. For a time, I was threatened with nervous prostration, but my physician prescribed a severe regimen. "Control yourself," he said. "Remember, neurasthenia is no longer in fashion. The reign of nerves is at an end; this season we shall have a renascence of muscle."

. You are planning to be the Michael Angelo of this renascence?

. Fortunately, I had no difficulty in accommodating myself to the change. Heaven directed my feet to the path of salvation.

. Without elephants?

. Don't recall those absurdities! I have put such trifles behind me. During one of my walks in the country, I stopped at the door of a Franciscan monastery. It occurred to me to go in. A pale-faced friar with a long, bushy beard was preaching. What a sermon that was! How he did preach about love, human and divine!

. You could have preached upon the former with greater show of authority.

. You are laughing at me. I was converted upon the spot. Now, I hear him preach every afternoon. He is a second St. Francis. I am organizing a series of festivals for the restoration of the convent.

. Poor saint! The temptations of St. Anthony will be nothing to his.

. You must not say that; you don't know him.

. I know you.

. I accept the aspersions of the world as just penance for my sins; I could even wish to have people think worse of me. In pursuance of my plan, I am soliciting from door to door. Of course I may count upon you and Imperia? Will you send me one of your works for my kermess?