A Escrava Isaura 3.49 · 3.49

Malvina catches his fairy-tale joke and plays it back: no, she saw no lucky green bird, 'mas hei-de ver', but I shall — she is confident the good thing is coming. Her happiness is not superstition but purpose: 'estou alegre mesmo', I really am happy, she insists, because she has a plan to make everyone glad. The dramatic irony deepens with every warm word. She believes she holds the power to bring joy into the house today; the reader knows the power lies entirely with Leôncio, and that Leôncio has already, minutes ago, decided the exact opposite of what she is about to ask. Her bright certainty — 'I will see it' — is aimed straight at a wall she cannot see.

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