Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/248

 I have come to consult you because you are like a brother to me, you belong to the family; we have known each other ever since we were children. Besides, you are a sensible young man.

. Extremely flattering! Nevertheless, I intend to acquire a reputation to-day to last me the rest of my life.

. Why to-day?

. You are so adorably beautiful!

. Gracious, Pepe, now don't you be commonplace! Like most men, you imagine that you are not making yourself agreeable to a woman unless you pretend to be in love with her. Women know perfectly well whether or not men are really in love.

. In that case further effort will be useless. You are madly attractive; that is as far as I am prepared to go.

. Suppose I should take you at your word? When Gonzalo comes, you will have to challenge him, although he is your most intimate friend, because he is engaged to me. After you have killed him, then you can hurry and speak to papa, and beg him to grant you my hand.

. Your father would direct his reply at my head.

. That might convince me that I am as attractive as you say. But aren't we talking nonsense? However, your compliments are no better: "You are madly attractive," "I am desperately in love with you." If you expect me to believe such foolishness, you will have to do more than talk. I came here to ask you a favor, and now I am sure you are going to raise objections, in spite of all the mad affection you insist that you feel.

. It depends entirely upon the favor. It may be evidence of affection to refuse.

. Gonzalo, Luis Montalbán, Enrique Santonja, and your friend Bumbum, that ridiculous old person who I