EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION
Reading edition
Based on Scene 1
1. It was half-past nine and Antonio had not yet returned.
2. They had hardly finished eating when he left.
3. Elisa thought that Antonio had said goodby very coldly.
4. Juana wanted to enslave Miguel, but Elisa never quarreled with Antonio.
5. Antonio had not remembered that it was the second anniversary of his wedding.
6. Elisa had embroidered a handkerchief to give him.
7. Her heart beat quickly whenever she heard him returning home.
8. Never mind; everything will come out all right.
9. Elisa wanted Antonio to find a good fire going when he came home.
10. Throw some more wood on the fire.
11. Poor Antonio, he has so many things to think about that he sometimes forgets his wife.
12. It's lucky that they live on this street, for hardly a day passes without one of them coming to tell us of their troubles.
13. We have been married for two years.
14. Elisa was sitting by the fireplace.
Based on Scene 2
A
1. Juana thought that Elisa was always at home to her.
2. Juana told the servant to get out of her way.
3. Elisa didn't like to receive any one at night when she was alone.
4. Why didn't you let him come in?
5. Don't you think it's rather warm tonight?
6. Yes, but I had rather be too warm than too cold.
7. We have known each other since childhood; in fact, we were such close friends that they used to call us the "inseparables."
8. Juana said that her husband was one of the greatest rascals in the world, and that Antonio was another of the same stripe.
9. Elisa didn't like to hear that, even as a joke.
10. With all your talking, you haven't told me anything.
11. I left Madrid at seven o'clock in the morning; I had to get up at three o'clock in the morning.
12. Juana left about an hour ago, I suppose.
13. Don't believe anything he tells you.
B
1. Why shouldn't Antonio go to the masquerade ball if he wants to?
2. Although Elisa had been married for two years, she was still in love with her husband.
3. Juana didn't like to have Antonio hide anything from her.
4. I am afraid there are few husbands in this world who don't have something to hide from their wives.
5. Showing her the letter, Juana asked Elisa if she recognized the handwriting.
6. Miguel asked Antonio to go with him to the masquerade, but Antonio refused because he cared very little for that kind of amusement; afterwards, however, he changed his mind.
7. Elisa tried to manage affairs so that her husband should find more enjoyment at home than anywhere else.
8. Juana wished Elisa to form an offensive and defensive alliance with her, but Elisa refused, saying that she was not at war with anybody.
9. Juana also wished Elisa to prevent Antonio from going to the dance.
10. There's no use talking any more; it's a settled fact that our husbands intend to go to the dance tonight.
11. Tell me what you think of Antonio's letter.
12. I can't tell you now, I haven't time to think about it.
13. It seems to me I hear somebody knocking; do you suppose it's Antonio?
Based on Scene 3
1. Antonio said he would be thirty-six years old next week.
2. Do you think it is proper for a married man who's beginning to turn gray, to go to dances?
3. If Antonio had had more sense, he wouldn't have believed Juana.
4. It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to write Miguel a few lines.
5. Now that you are not to go to the ball, what are you going to do?
6. Antonio wanted Juana to hear him at all costs.
7. Juana told Antonio that if the men persisted in doing as they liked, the women ought to do the same.
8. I told you not to forget that you were talking to a lady.
9. If Miguel had known that his wife was at Antonio's, he would have been afraid to go there.
10. If I took it into my head to go to a dance, nobody could stop me.
Based on Scene 4
1. Antonio was afraid he'd have to call the chief of the vigilance department.
2. Antonio was curious to see how his wife would act when she was angry.
3. Although Antonio was not accustomed to quarrel with his wife, he thought it necessary to be firm on that occasion.
4. Elisa came up to her husband and put her hands affectionately on his shoulders.
5. It's plain now (I see it all now); she intends to make fun of me.
6. There's no way out of it; I'll have to start the attack.
7. Antonio must have been a fool to believe that his wife would have lost her temper merely because he wanted to go to the dance.
8. Juana was the one who was furious, not Elisa.
9. Elisa pretended to be glad that Antonio was going to the masquerade.