Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/251

 said to live by appearances, it is not the way that we live. In the serious, the important moments of our lives, the truth shines out clearly above all the screen of our lies, and it is idle then for evil to pretend to be good, or for good to pretend to be evil. I have often cried all night over what I have laughed at all day. Nobody saw me cry, but everybody saw me laugh. Where was the truth to be found?

. You just said—in your cowardice; you were afraid to be good. That is mere

. Cowardice; precisely. I shall not apologize. It is almost always cowardice, though at times it may be modesty. No matter how sure we may be of our physical charms, it is not usual to undress before the first stranger who happens along. Here at least you agree?

. Of course not!

. Even the most hardened, and the most hardened invariably are women, offer samples at best, perhaps not altogether insufficient, nor lacking in courage, but anything like an honest, frank revelation…

. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

. There is also a moral sense of shame. Delicate natures do not expose themselves casually to the chance passer-by.

. I should hope not. Exposure is one thing, but to wrap oneself up is another, until people imagine that one has something to conceal.

. True goodness is sportive and joyous; it loves to masquerade, so it passes for folly. False virtue dresses up to go out socially, and walks at a gait which is dignified and slow. I distrust austere gentlemen with their hands in their bosoms, who enlarge upon their virtue at the slightest excuse, and miss no opportunity to eulogize their honor, their integrity, as the phrase runs nowadays—the word is