Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/182

 feel, now? Why have you stopped teasing my wrists? Why are you leaving me? What is it? What is it?

Leonardo.—Nothing. No. No. Nothing. I only need to be alone. For a little. All alone. By myself.

(, who has left and gone over to the other side, remains quiet and immovable. Suddenly she starts, and returns to his side, as to a refuge.)

Leonardo.—What is it now?

Malvina.—It is they do you hear? Your sisters They are already quarreling.

Leonardo.—You seem to be afraid of them

Malvina.—I am not afraid of them: they disgust me.

( and come out of the house.  lounges over and ensconces himself at the extreme side of the stage. He crosses his hands over his stomach, and twirls his thumbs, one around the other, beating time with his feet.)

Francesca.—Why did you come up-stairs?

Dora.—Just for curiosity.

Francesca.—Don't you know that Clara can't bear you? She knows what you are thinking. You have expressed yourself to her very clearly, so many times

Dora.—I don't know how to pretend.

Francesca.—We will grant that. But you must realize that one must never say to a mother: "The child that you are carrying, here next your heart, is a disgrace, and we will cast it out." A mother is always a mother.

Dora.—And you must realize that in a house like ours—our name has always been held in respect—in a house like ours one does not bring an element of this nature

Francesca.—Our uncle is privileged to receive whom he pleases in his own home.

Dora.—The home of our uncle is also partly ours

Francesca (With a sneer)—Not yet. You must have patience (The two sisters look at each other threateningly., with a nonchalant air, steps between them.) What are you looking for?

Dora.—What do you want?

Leonardo.—Nothing. I only wanted to retire into the bosom of my family. I never feel tranquil unless I am near you, so (The  enters. He is agitated and cannot calm himself. He feels that the sisters have quarreled.)

General.—Again?