CASALONGA. I cannot accept your explanation. My friends will confer with yours and apprise us as to the details. Have everything ready for this afternoon. VALDIVIESO. Do you stand here and sanction this nonsense? You cannot believe one word that he says. No doubt it would be convenient for you to retire and use me as a Turk's head to receive all the blows, when you are the one who ought to fight! FLORENCIO. Friend Valdivieso, I cannot permit reflections upon my conduct from you. After all, you need not have purchased the book, which you did for money, knowing that it was improper, since it contained matter which was offensive to me. VALDIVIESO. Are you speaking in earnest? FLORENCIO. I was never more in earnest in my life. CASALONGA. Yes, sir, and it is high time for us all to realize that it is in earnest. It was all your fault. Nobody buys without spending the wares. It was your business to have pointed out to me the indiscretion I was about to commit. [_To Florencio._] I am perfectly willing to withdraw if you wish to fight him, to yield my place as the aggrieved party to you. I should be delighted to act as one of your seconds, with our good friend here--what is your name? ZURITA. Zurita. CASALONGA. My good friend Zurita. VALDIVIESO. Am I losing my mind? This is a trap which you have set for me, a despicable trap! FLORENCIO. Friend Valdivieso, I cannot tolerate these reflections. I am incapable of setting a trap. ZURITA. Ah! And so am I! When you entered this house you were familiar with its reputation. CASALONGA. You have forgotten with whom you are speaking. VALDIVIESO. Nonsense! This is too much. I wash my hands of the whole business. Is this the spirit in which my advances are received? What I will do now is sell the book--and if I can't sell it, I will give it away! Everybody can read it then--and they can talk as much as they want to. This is the end! I am through. FLORENCIO. Wait? What was that? I warn you not to sell so much as one copy? ZURITA. I should be sorry if you did. Take care not to drag me into it. CASALONGA. Nor me either. VALDIVIESO. Enough! Do as you see fit--and I shall do the same. This is the end--the absolute end! It is the finish! [_Rushes out._] FLORENCIO. Stop him! CASALONGA. It won't be necessary. I shall go to the shop and take back the edition. Whatever you intended to pay him you can hand directly to me. I am your friend; besides I need the money. This man shall not get the best of me. Oh! By the way, what are you doing to-night? Have dinner with me. I shall expect you at the hotel. Don't forget! If you don't show up, I may drop in myself and have dinner with you. FLORENCIO. No! What would my wife say? She has trouble enough.