COMMISSIONER. May I come in? Signor Ponza is here. PREFECT. Thanks, Centuri. This way, Ponza, come right in! (_Ponza bows_). AGAZZI. Have a chair, Ponza. (_Ponza bows and sits down_). PREFECT. I believe you know these gentlemen? (_Ponza rises and bows_). AGAZZI. Yes, I introduced them yesterday. And this is Laudisi, my wife's brother. (_Ponza bows_). PREFECT. I venture to disturb you, my dear Ponza, just to tell you that here with these friends of mine.... (_At the first words of the prefect, Ponza evinces the greatest nervousness and agitation_). PREFECT. Was there something you wanted to say, Ponza? PONZA. Yes, there is something I want to say, governor. I want to present my resignation here and now. PREFECT. Oh, my dear fellow, I'm so sorry! But just a few moments ago down at the office you were talking.... PONZA. Oh, really, this is an outrage, governor! This is just plain persecution, plain persecution! PREFECT. Oh, now, don't take it that way, old man. See here. These good people.... AGAZZI. Persecution, did you say? On my part?... PONZA. On the part of all of you! And I am sick and tired of it! I am going to resign, governor. I refuse to submit to this ferocious prying into my private affairs which will end by undoing a work of love that has cost me untold sacrifice these past two years. You don't know, governor! Why, I've treated that dear old lady in there just as tenderly as though she were my own mother. And yesterday I had to shout at her in the most cruel and terrible way! Why, I found her just now so worked up and excited that.... AGAZZI. That's queer! While she was in here Signora Frola was quite mistress of herself. If anybody was worked up, Ponza, it was you. And even now, if I might say.... PONZA. But you people don't know what you're making me go through! PREFECT. Oh, come, come, my dear fellows, don't take it so hard. After all, I'm here, am I not? And you know I've always stood by you! And I always will! PONZA. Yes, governor, and I appreciate your kindness, really! PREFECT. And then you say that you're as fond of this poor old lady as you would be if she were your own mother. Well, now, just remember that these good people here seem to be prying into your affairs because they, too, are fond of her!... PONZA. But they're killing her, I tell you, governor! They're killing her, and I warned them in advance. PREFECT. Very well, Ponza, very well! Now we'll get through with this matter in no time. See here, it is all very simple. There is one way that you can convince these people without the least doubt in the world. Oh, not me--I don't need convincing. I believe _you_. PONZA. But _they_ won't believe me, no matter what I say.