CASALONGA. Nonsense! She knows me, and we should have a good laugh. Is she as charming, as good-looking, as striking as ever? I am keen for her. I don't need to ask whether she is happy. Poor Patricio was a character! What a sight he was! What a figure! And age doubled him for good measure. I'll look in on you later. It has been a rare pleasure this time. There are few friends like you. Come, shake hands! I am touched; you know how it is. See you later! If I don't come back, I have killed my man and am in jail for it. Tell your wife. If I can help out in any way.... Good-by, my friend--ah, yes! Zurita. I have a terrible head to-day. See you later! [_Goes out._] FLORENCIO. Did you ever see anything equal of it? I never did, and I knew him of old. But he has made progress. ZURITA. His assurance is fairly epic. FLORENCIO. What are you going to do with a man who takes it like this? You cannot kill him in cold blood-- [_Carolina reënters._] FLORENCIO. Ah! Carolina! Were you listening? You heard everything. CAROLINA. Yes, and in spite of it I think he is fascinating. FLORENCIO. Since Carolina feels that way it simplifies the situation. ZURITA. Why not? She heard the compliments. The man is irresistible. FLORENCIO. Carolina, it comes simply to this: nobody attaches any importance to the matter. Only two or three copies have been sold. CAROLINA. Yes, but one of them was to my sisters-in-law, which is the same as if they had sold forty thousand. They will tell everybody. FLORENCIO. They were doing it anyhow; there is no further cause for worry. CAROLINA. At all events, I shall not attend the unveiling to-morrow, and you ought not to go either. FLORENCIO. But, wife! ZURITA. Ah! The unveiling.... I had forgotten to mention it. CAROLINA. To mention what? ZURITA. It has been postponed. FLORENCIO. How? ZURITA. The committee became nervous at the last moment over the protests against the nudes. After seeing the photographs many ladies declined to participate. At last the sculptor was convinced, and he has consented to withdraw the statue of Truth altogether, and to put a tunic upon Industry, while Commerce is to have a bathing-suit. CAROLINA. That will be splendid! ZURITA. All this, however, will require several days, and by that time everything will have been forgotten. [_Casalonga reënters with the books. He is completely out of breath and drops them suddenly upon the floor, where they raise a tremendous cloud of dust._] CAROLINA. _Ay!_ CASALONGA. I had you scared! At your service.... Here is the entire edition. I returned him his thousand pesetas--I declined to make it another penny. I told you that would be all that was necessary. I am a man of my word. Now it is up to you. No more could be asked! I am your friend and have said enough. I shall have to find some other outlet for my activities. That will be all for to-day. FLORENCIO. I will give you two thousand pesetas. But beware of a second edition!