mortification will be terrible when he discovers it, because it will be a disillusionment to him. He will be ill, or he will do something desperate. See if he doesn't; you will see. He is so violent. God and the Holy Virgin help us! Why cannot children always remain children, and always stay at their mother's side, so that she can take them up in her arms and console them, like children?
Luisa. But mamma! Mamma! You were wretched for fear that Julio might be able to carry out his plans and go away. Only yesterday, didn't you say: "Good Lord, good Lord! My son may have gone crazy, but at least that girl ought to have sense"? Now, when God has heard you, when you ought to be happy, because now Julio will not leave us, nor think of going away, instead of being thankful, you are only growing worse! Weren't you crying because you had lost your son? Well, you have him back again, and he will be more yours now than he ever was before.
Carmen. Yes, but that is no consolation. A mother's lot is always unhappy. The only time she can say that her children are her own is when life returns them to her, heartbroken and undeceived, to take refuge in the only love that never fails, that always forgives. A mother's heart is like a nest. The birds cry for their mother's warmth, for food and for love, but by the time they are able to fly, and sing happily, they are already far away from the nest, from their mother. When they come back, how can she be happy, since she knows that they come only to pour out their sorrows, and the disappointments they have had to bear?
Don Hilario and Julio enter.
Julio. Come in, Don Hilario.
Hilario. Doña Carmen! Luisita…
Julio. You see, they are crying. It is the daily routine, invariable. And it is my fault! This cannot continue.
