Don Gonzalo. At your age? You must be jesting.
Doña Laura. Pass me the book, please. [takes book, reads aloud.] "Twenty years have passed. He returns. And each upon beholding the other exclaims—Can it be possible that this is he? Merciful heavens, can this be she?"
[Doña Laura returns book to Don Gonzalo.]
Don Gonzalo. Indeed, you are to be envied for your wonderful eyesight.
Doña Laura [aside]. I knew the lines from memory.
Don Gonzalo. I am very fond of good verse, very fond. I even composed some in my youth.
Doña Laura. Good ones?
Don Gonzalo. Of all kinds. I was a great friend of Espronceda, Zorrilla, Becquer and others. I first met Zorrilla in America.
Doña Laura. Why, have you been in America?
Don Gonzalo. Several times. The first time I went I was only six years old.