you? Because nobody is going to shower us with rice. Señorito Julio isn't home, I tell you.
Pepe. I know; that's the reason I called. I'm calling on his mother. Doña Carmen.
Ramona. Step into the parlor, please.
Pepe. I'm satisfied where I am; I feel more like one of the family. Announce me.
Ramona. I don't know whether the señora can see you. Señorita Luisa has an attack.
Pepe. Tell her I am here, and my duty will be done. I am not so keen about this interview, anyhow. She is going to question me.
Ramona. Yes, about Señorito Julio. She doesn't like the idea of his being engaged, not to speak of his getting married. That is all she ever talks about nowadays, just as if it wasn't the most natural thing in the world for a young man to get married. If he didn't have a sweetheart, you know yourself it would be something else. Some people when they get old forget they were ever young themselves. There's a time for everything, and we know it.
Pepe. Yes, we know it. [Embracing her] It would be an awful shame, too, to let it slip.
Ramona. Be careful what you're doing!
Pepe. My dear, you feel to me like a hundred and eighteen in the shade.
Ramona. I call that a pretty warm young gentleman. [Goes out, right.
She re-enters immediately with Doña Carmen, and then disappears again at the rear, toward the left.
Pepe. Doña Carmen!
Carmen. Good afternoon, Pepe.
Pepe. As Julio was out, and you sent word that you wanted to see me, I thought perhaps we might have a quiet talk.
