Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/177

 question squarely, if only the rich were to marry and only the rich to have children, it would not be long before they could no longer tell that they were rich, because they would be walking the streets barefoot for want of anybody to make them a pair of shoes. I must hurry now; it is time to go, Doña Carmen. I should not like Julio to surprise me here, and to imagine that this was a conspiracy.

. Do not worry upon that account; he never returns before eleven at the earliest. But we must not detain you; you have engagements, and our tertulia would not prove amusing.

. Probably you expect company?

. Only some neighbors, who spend the winter evenings together. We meet in a different house every night. To-night it is our turn.

. I suppose you play games?

. Not even that. We talk, we read the paper. Some of us go to sleep.

. You may feel like a dull evening some time yourself.

. Yes, I shall drop in if I do. I hope you improve, Luisita. Now don't blacken my reputation. I may pursue the rich girls, but you don't know how shocked I should be, if one of them were honestly to sit up and take notice.

. I wish I could believe what you say.

. Good-by, Pepe. Adios! Remember to speak to Julio.

. Never, Doña Carmen. When a man has made up his mind, it is useless. It would only create feeling. I think too much of Julio, as he knows—and you know what I think of you.

. Thanks, Pepe; many, many thanks.