Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/224

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190
IN THE CLOUDS
ACT II

well founded, I should say that you have been extremely fortunate. You will breathe the pure air, you will eat, you will drink natural products, you will dress in comfort and live at your ease, your wife will never have nerves, which are the most expensive luxury a woman can have, but she will have a good appetite, which is cheaper, after all, than not to have any, and to be obliged to stimulate it at all hours.

Pepe. Nevertheless, it might be as well not to say anything to your mother and sister, and you had better not speak to your wife. Do me the favor. I shall write later, with the news of my wedding. I will say I am marrying a country girl, the match was arranged by my uncle. She is the mayor's daughter. It is the best I can do. We are creatures of prejudice.

Ramona enters.

Ramona. Señorito Manolo…

Manolo. What is the trouble with you?

Ramona. Your girl is here. The doctor's come, and your wife wants you home, because she's not feeling well, and she don't intend to have you saying afterward that it was nothing but imagination.

Manolo. What have I to say, anyway? I'd be better off saying nothing. I'll be there.

Ramona goes out.

Manolo. Take care, Pepe. You have my sympathy—I mean on the matrimonial side.

Pepe. Yes, if you don't mind, I'll join you; I am going your way.

Julio. And I am coming along. We might drop in on Galán. At least, we could all leave our cards.

Manolo. I'll look around later—that is, if Paquita's condition permits.