Sabina

SABINA By Severino Montano CHARACTERS: SABINA, a young farm girl ANTERO, her older brother MAMERTO, their grandfather RUSTICA, their grandmother CLETA, Sabina's aunt ARISTON, Cleta's husband URSULA, their young daughter MR. GEORGE PRICA an American Place Kawakan, a small farm village near the sea coast, to the-far north from Luzon. TIME: The present. April evening. 10 o’clock. SCENE: The living room of a rather prosperous-looking but old farm house in Kawakan, a small farm village not far from the sea. It is a bamboo house with sloping bamboo rafters, sturdy teakwood post and shiny, handsome floors. , A spacious platform, upstage center To the right of the platform and above it is a door leading into SABINA’S room. On the right wall is a big window with mother-of-pearl shell panes facing the altar table. Below this window is the, main door leading to the entrance porch. On the left wall is the door to the kitchen Another window, a small one, is above the altar platform, center The windows are luxuriant with ferns and air plants, gleaming under the April moonlight. The room is almost bare of furniture, for the villagers are used h sitting on these shiny floors. But a bamboo couch, a heavily carve teakwood chair, a camphor chest, a cupboard and a cane easy chair are placed about the room. An old-fashioned 'oil lamp hangs from the sloping ceiling. And the lamp, a very new one of the "Aladdin" 'variety, stands conspicuously on the cupboard. This lamp, however, is not lighted. A novena is going on as the curtain rises. . The

mourners, led by RUSTICA, an old woman who is apart from the rest, are kneeling o the platform facing the altar table, which is lighted with several candles The mourners are: ANTERO, Son of the house; CLETA, his aunt; ARISTON, Cleta's husband; and their young daughter, URSULA; another young pair of farmers; and MAMERTO, grandfather of the household. The prayer, are said, in an emotional litany like monotone, and more or, less chanted. The cry of a turtle is heard faintly coming from the sea. It is about ten o'clock at night; but for the prayers and the voice of the turtle the late April evening is still. OLD Woman": Death is a loneliness! Death is a sadness! MOURNERS: God have mercy upon us! OLD Woman: We pray, 0 Lord, for the soul of our departed sister, Maria! MOURNERS: My God! My God! Let Thou not forsake her! In the kingdom of Thy golden city, in the realm of life eternal, receive Maria into Thy care! OLD WOMAN: Dark is the mist that covers us, weak indeed is the clay house! Look upon us, O God, who are living! MOURNERS: God have mercy upon us! OLD WOMAN: We also pray, O God for Maria's living and only daughter, Sabina! She is but a frail jar against the mighty tides! Spare her, O Lord, from evil! The OLD MAN rises and turns coldly towards the big window. MOURNERS: (Casting quick glances at the Old Man, their prayers becoming faster): My God! Let Thou not forsake her from the ravages of sin and the scorching heat of hell-fire deliver Sabina, O Lord, from evil! OLD Women: Amen! (She makes the sign of the cross.) Crossing themselves too and rising briefly, the mourners look questioning at the OLD MAN. OLD WOMAN: What made you rise just now, Mamerto? Is it the crying of that black turtle that

worries you, she that's, grieving deeply by the river's mouth? OLD MAN: No, Rustica! I'm getting tired hearing you pray for Sabina every night. Isn't it enough we mourn for the dead? OLD WOMAN: It's also a blessed thing to pray for the living, Mamerto! CLETA: Indeed, it's our duty to look after Sabina! I passed by the village store this evening, and the women were laughing. "How's Mr. George?" they, asked me. "Is it true your Aunt Maria died because of Mr. George?" OLD MAN: Your Aunt Maria didn't die of any such thing, Cleta! CLETA: Didn't she? Aunt Maria herself felt heavy the day Sabina was fool enough to go out with Mr. George! URSULA: The doctor said it was her weak heart she died of, Mother, not Mr. George! CLETA: You keep quiet! OLD WOMAN: Maria's heart was heavy that day, God save her soul! I fear her spirit will come back if Sabina's not careful this evening. Mamerto, what are we to do with Sabina? OLD MAN: Nothing, Rustica! It would be wiser if we leave Sabina alone! OLD WOMAN: Wiser? Once there was, a strange sailor who came roaming round this village; a clean chap he looked-like. But soon one of the young girls bore him a child. The sailor left, and the poor girl died of sadness! OLD MAN: Mr. George is not a sailor, Rustica! OLD WOMAN: He is a man, nonetheless, Mamertol CLETA: Do you know what the women in the market are saying? This is the night Mr. George is coming back! ARISTON: It's gossip such as yours brings the devil, Cleta! Stop it! CLETA: Surely, it's no gossip, Ariston!

ARISTON: Well, what if he is coming back? CLETA: Sabina will want to light that I amp again in this house, instead of the candles. ARISTON: What lamp? CLETA (Indicating the lamp on top of cupboard): That new lamp there, brought by Mr. George the day Aunt Maria died! ARISTON: And what's so terrible about lighting that lamp? CLETA: The village will be noisy with gossip in the morning. ARISTON: Don't be foolish! OLD Woman: Where is Sabina? URSULA: I'll look into her room, Grandma. CLETA: Stay in the comer there, and be quiet. You are too young to meddle in such things! (Peeping into SABINA’S room and turning away quickly, shocked) Oh! Oh! ARISTON: What is the matter? CLETA: Why, she's taking off her mourning this very minute! OLD Woman: What is it you say? CLETA: Indeed she is! She's throwing off her black dress and she's slipping on a shameful one! URSULA: Mother, I don't like my black dress. CLETA: Close your sinful mouth! OLD Woman: It's a 'bad enough for her not to come to prayers these nine nights, and now for her to cast off mourning so soon! CLETA: The neighbors will pass any minute now, and they'll see her in that shameful dress! Hide that lamp, Antero! And we'd better close the windows. She closes a window, while ANTERO closes another. URSULA peeps through the door and turns back horrified.

URSULA: Grandma! Grandma! ARISTON: What is it now? URSULA: She's combing her hair before the looking glass. OLD Women: It's a bad omen to, look into the glass, Cleta. This will be a night of evil! Tell her to cover the glass. CLETA: Quiet! She's coming now! Oh, my God the lamp! Hide the lamp; Antero! ANTERO takes the lamp but she grabs it from him and woos it behind the camphor chest. OLD Woman: Sabina is undone tonight! She's undone, Mamerto! The crying of the turtle is heard again. SABINA appears from, the shadows. She wears a light summer dress. SABINA (Cheerfully but simply): Good evening to you all. (Kissing the old man's hand in reverence) Your blessing, Grandpa! I'm glad to see you, Grandpa! Isn't it dark enough for prayers in this house without, closing the windows? CLETA (Pointedly): The prayers are over, Sabina! (SABINA turns to the windows.) ANTERO: Sabina, are you deaf? Don't you touch the windows! It's Grandma's wish! Silence SABINA leaves the Windows alone. SABINA: I'm sorry, Grandma! I only wanted to let in the light of the moon. (SABINA looks about for the lamp). CLETA: And what is it you are looking for now? There is another silence as she continues looking around. SABINA: The new lamp that was brought from the city. Oh, here it is! CLETA: On such a night it's more fitting to light the candles! ANTERO: Drop that lamp, Sabina!

OLD MAN: You can't blame a young girl for wanting things brighter in a dark house, son! SABINA looks for a match. CLETA: And is it tonight Mr. George is returning again to the village? SABINA is silent ANTERO: Why don't you answer us? (Another silence) CLETA: We are talking to you, Sabina! SABINA (Coldly): And what if he's returning tonight, Aunt Cleta? OLD WOMAN: Leave that lam p alone, child. It's wisdom to be careful. The wings of the moth pt badly burned, Sabina, if it leaps into the flame. SABINA: What are the moth's wings- compared to a woman's -happiness, Grandma? OLD WOMAN: It's a pity if you won't listen to the wisdom of ripened years, and you merely a slip of a young girl of tender mind! SABINA: I'm tired of sadness in this dark house, Grandma! Let's light this lamp, and smile with the brightness of it. CLETA: Light it yourself. We don't ask a part! OLD WOMAN: If you don't listen to us, you'll be lonely, my child. You will be alone even before that moon has waned and both of you have sunk deeper into the sea! What good is there when you'll be sorry forever? Think, my child! SABINA: It's your years won't stand the brightness of the lamp, Grandma, for your life's nearly broken! I'll light the lamp!' CLETA: It's useless to waste breath over a stubborn girl who won't listen! Good heavens, she's lighting the lamp, Antero! ANTERO (Jumping toward, her sister): For God's sake, will you listen or not? ARISTON: (Holding ANTERO back): Antero! Take it easy! ANTERO (Insistently): What has happened, we

are asking you! OLD MAN: You have no need to raise a hand against your sister, son! ANTERO: My only sister! God, what a shame! SABINA (Resentfully): I've no call but to be happy, Antero! ANTERO: Happy? It's your doings that drove Mother to her grave? OLD WOMAN (Kindly): Sabina, what is it that has happened between you and Mr. George? CLETA: Whatever it was, the whole village is jeering and laughing! ANTERO (Insistently): What has happened, we are asking you! SABINA (Breaking down -helplessly): Stop it, all of you! Stop it! You'll drive me crazy with your wailings. ANTERO: For God's sake, will you listen or not? SABINA: No! No, I won't listen! You can't destroy my little share of happiness now. You can't kill the love I bear for him. Maybe death's between us this evening, but who was ever happy in this house before he came? Nothing! So get out and, go your own way from this housel, Get out! Leave me alone! Leave me alone! ANTERO (Shocked): Do you realize what you are saying? CLETA: Since it's your wish, we shall go. Come, Ursula! But whatever happens to you from now on, don’t you ever call upon us! Are you coming, Ariston? ARISTON: Don't be so hard on the poor girl, Cleta! CLETA: Don't come if you don't want to! You can stay! You’d best be coming along, Grandma! It's easy to see we are not wanted in this house any more! She goes, dragging URSULA with her. ARISTON follows them. The OLD WOMAN rises slowly.

ANTERO: For God's sake, Sabina, think of what you are doing! OLD WOMAN Perhaps you better walk me home, Antero. ANTERO: Sabina, you're a heartless fool OLD WOMAN: Come, the cool night will calm your anger, son! The turtle is heard again) Tell me, isn't that the sobbing of the black turtle, weeping" sadly by the river's mouth? (Silence.) Well, good night, and may God bless you, Sabina! They go. SABINA is left alone with the OLD MAN. She rushes to him and cries. SABINA: Oh Grandpa! Grandpa! OLD MAN: Don't cry. SABINA: Am I wrong, Grandpa? Am I very much mistaken? OLD MAN: Outside love, nothing lives, Sabina! That's what a wise man said long ago. Surely, whatever the heart feels richly must be right!, And hearts, I'm saying to you, haven't changed very much since then. SABINA: I'm trying to build me a nest, trying to weave threads of laughter through it, but my wings, are tied with sorrow. It’s for that my poor heart will be crying forever. OLD MAN: Well, don't cry! SABINA, But it seems they'd name my cry… Oh, I mustn't cry grandpa! OLD MAN: There, that's better! SABINA: I mustn't cry, for Mr. George is coming back tonight. Mr. George is coming back! And for him my heart is singing! God would be unkind to me if He didn't bring back Mr. George. OLD MAN: Mr. George promised you that? SABINA: Many times, Grandpa! But sometimes there's a fear in, in my heart, for before he came I never knew what it was to be happy. OLD MAN: Are you happy now? SABINA: Yes, again and again he has told me!

A month ago, he told me. I well remember, that day! We went out to the sandhill by the sea. He felt happy, he said, everytime we were together. He said that at the foot of the hill by the sea. OLD MAN: Yes? SABINA (Confidingly, softly): We were there still when the twilight was coming ... he lying happily on the warm sand, and me very happy beside him! We stayed on, for the sky in the west was like a rainbow, and the hill to the east was dark with the full moon rising slowly behind it! It was beautiful, Grandpa! . . . OLD MAN (Answering her reverie with his): Yes, child. What else can be more beautiful than that? SABINA: Then I haven't done wrong? People like me haven't done wrong? OLD MAN (Very kindly): When you're happy at last? ... No, Sabina! Surely, it's wrong to know happiness, when the glorious beginnings come! Or if it is, perhaps love itself is a mistake, and maybe Man couldn't be forgiven. SABINA: But the people they're so selfish, Grandpa! OLD MAN: Yes, indeed, men can be funny sometimes. SABINA: And miserly with their loves, Grandpa! OLD MAN: Yes, My child, there shouldn’t be any selfishness in a heart that loves to the end! The closing of the front gate is heard. SABINA is startled. SABINA: That must be Antero now! Listen, Grandpa, he's locking the front gate! OLD MAN: Antero shouldn't matter at all! (She opens the big; window and looks out). SABINA: Oh, he has locked the gate, Grandpa! What am I to do? He will keep on tormenting me! OLD MAN: Look to your heart, for it is your own best counsel! It's the safest way to be happy! (Rising) Good night, my child!

He starts for the main door, but turns and walks to the back door. SABINA: They say it’s ill omen to go by the back door at night! OLD MAN: I don't believe in omens! .... Well, good night again! Sadly, SABINA watches him go out slowly by the back door. After a while she picks up a little cheerfulness again. ANTERO enters.., frozenly from the front door. There is a brief moment of cold silence between them. SABINA (Cheerfully): Is there great need for us to be locking the gate, Antero? ANTERO (Sternly): The curfew has rung! SABINA: Even so, let's not close the front gate for just this evening. The night itself is bright enough with the full moon, the streets are looking like, day. ANTERO: Are you so set on waiting? SABINA: Don't begin that all over again. Antero. Would you have me growing old, like a sour old maid? ANTERO: That's not the trouble! SABINA: it is! You should be well pleased I am happy at last, after doing my goodly share of hard work these long years since Father died. Haven't I helped to make things go on this farm, sharing gladly with the, planting and the harvesting? Am I to be married to the soil forever, with no happiness coming? ANTERO: If you should fall into disgrace, what are we to do, your own kin, who'll bear the brunt of your chosen shame forever? SABINA: Shame? Is it a shame to be happy? ANTERO: Can't you appreciate what it is to have a name? SABINA: What care I, if I myself am not happy a little? ANTERO: Are you saying, you won't listen at all?

SABINA: I love him so, Antero! I love him! ANTERO: All right, but' you know nothing about him whatsoever. It's only three months you've known him! SABINA: I don't care about that! ANTERO: It's your duty to care! SABINA: Mr. George loves me! I know he does! My heart tells me he does! ANTERO: I don't care what your wild heart tells you! What I care about is your own good self, do you hear me? SABINA: He's good to me Antero! Mr. George is a good man. He's a fine man. And I tell you he loves me! ANTERO: I warn you he'll leave you like thunder! SABINA: No, no, he won’t! He won't! ANTERO: Oh, yes, he will! I know enough of these sleek and tired and worldly-wise merchant men from the city! I've seen it happen! SABINA (Dreamily): Mr. George and I will be married someday... soon, Antero! He'll build me a fine house in the city, and surely I'll bring him forth a good child into that house, and many more if I am able! ANTERO: Get married to him then, if you can! But if you don’t I'll show both of you where to enjoy your pleasures. SABINA: You will not! You dare not! Oh, let's not quarrel! Come, you had better go and open the gate quickly for he will be here now any minute. I'll light the lamp, Anterol ANTERO: You stay away from that lamp! SABINA (Quietly): It’s my own lamp. Surely, I'll light it! ANTERO: Give me that lamp! SABINA: Let go the lamp, Antero! Please let it go! You11 break the lamp! ANTERO: I don’t care! It's this devil of a lamp

itself giving you such foolish notions about love! SABINA: Give me the lamp! It's my lamp! ANTERO (Wrestling, he seizes the lamp- and smashes it against the floor): There goes your devil of a lamp! You fool! There is a tense speechless moment between them. SABINA picks up several of the broken pieces and fingers them speechlessly. The turtle is heard again. SABINA: I’ll open the gate. ANTERO: You can't. I won't let you! You shan't make a scene least of all. Think of the neighbors! (He pulls her from the door.) SABINA (Struggling from him): Let me go! ANTERO: Think of the scandal, you fool! Mr. GEORGE (At the gate): Sa-bi-na! Open the gate! Sabina are you there? SABINA rushes to the windows again. SABINA: Yes, Mr. George, I've been waiting! (Then to ANTERO, wildly) He's coming round the backyard through the garden. He is coming now. Can you hear me? Mr. George himself is coming up! ANTERO slaps her fiercely, throwing her to the floor. She utters a stifled cry. SABINA: It's all right now. You can have the front gate to yourself! It doesn't matter now! He is here! He is coming, himself! ANTERO: Go ahead, wallow in the mud with him, you reckless little fool! Go to the devil with him if you want to. Only don't you ever dare tell me afterwards what bitter fruit you've gathered in the end! There is another silence broken by the approaching steps, of Mr. GEORGE. ANTERO goes out through the front door. SABINA rises quickly and straightens herself up. Mr. GEORGE enters cheerfully from the back door. He is a kindly, cheerful, somewhat tired but romantic-looking, businessman of about thirty years, prosperous and plump, but not too fleshy; good-looking in a stout American way

and bearing about him an earthly kind of simplicity. There is gentleness in his tired voice. In fact, there is something romantic -and alarmingly disarming about him. He wears a white linen suit, white shoes, and a white tropical helmet. He carries a weekend bag with him. MR. GEORGE: Well, well, how's little Sabina this evening? SABINA (Running to him): Mr. George! Mr. George! I’ve been waiting! MR. GEORGE (Embracing her warmly): I sure feel grand to see you again, Sabina! SABINA: I'm so glad you're back, just as you promised me! MR, GEORGE: Of course! Of course I was coming back! You've been crying, Sabina! What is it? SABINA: Nothing! Only I've been waiting! Now I’m so happy you’re back. Mr. GEORGE: Do you love me that much, really? SABINA: Each night while you were away, I've been praying, Mr. George. Each night I kept on thinking, wondering what you were doing and wishing all the time you'd hurry back safe and happy! MR. GEORGE: I thought about you an awful lot myself. SABINA: I was afraid you wouldn't return to Kawakan. MR.GEORGE: I can’t forget Kawakan. It's the place for me. I've kept my word, and I shall keep it again. The month spent without you was terribly dull. SABINA: You must rest now and be comfortable, Mr. George. Let me help you with your things. You can change your clothes in my room if you wish to, and I shall bring your bag inside. Your bath has been ready ever since this morning. MR. GEORGE: You're very thoughtful, Sabina. I like you, and I like this farm. (He takes off his

coat. (SABINA takes it from him.) That’s a good girl. How restful it is here in Kawakan. I've been longing to come back He rolls his shirt sleeves up, unfastens, his holster and hands it to SABINA together with, his bag and helmet. She takes them all into her room He loosens his tie, then sits down and relaxes, and begins stretching comfortably. SABINA returns with her dressing gown and a towel-and slippers. SABINA: I'll place the things you’ll need for your bath here, Mr. George. Rest yourself now, and I'll get you some supper. MR. GEORGE (Holding her by the hand): Don't bother, I'm not hungry! Let's just sit here and be quiet for a while, shall we, Sabina? SABINA: Oh, but, if you're tired ... Well, then... MR. GEORGE: Tell me, Sabina, what makes you kind to me? SABINA: The earth itself is kind when the sun is good, and you've been good, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE (Thoughtfully): The women I know are kind, but you are so much kinder! God knows how much I've missed you. SABINA: I've missed you too, Mr. George. MR. GEORGE (Embracing her passionately): This whole month I've missed YOU! And I need you, Sabina! I need you! SABINA (Softly): Mr. George? MR. GEORGE: Yes, my dearest? SABINA: Will you always love me? MR. GEORGE: Always! Forever and always! SABINA (After a while, timidly): Will you ... let me keep that love? MR. GEORGE: It's all yours, sweet! I never knew what love meant until I met you, Sabina! SABINA: And I never was happy before you came, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: I've never felt so -happy myself Oh, God, what I have missed.

SABINA (Simply): It’s myself I offer gladly, Mr. George... All that you want of me, my life, my love, my heart which says: I'll love you always no matter what or where or when! That's how much I love you, Mr. George, for -me you're the bright sun, and I make a pledge to that sun and promise to love you forever, even when the gods themselves have stopped turning night into day! MR. GEORGE: My little brown Sabina! Can't it be like this always? SABINA: Forever, Mr. George! Our love will last forever! They kiss again. MR. GEORGE: Now I know the traders are wrong! They say you Filipino women are no good as sweethearts. What do they know about you? What do they know about love? SABINA: Let’s just love and be contented. MR. GEORGE: Black, brown, or white, we're all the same and nothing matters much, save this gift for loving. Sure, people are all the same, Sabina! SABINA: Grandfather always tells me, outside love nothing lives. And I believe him, Mr. George! Do people love much where you came from, Mr. George? MR. GEORGE: Yes, they do! SABINA: And are there some who are selfish too? MR. GEORGE: There are rascals there too, and sometimes they win out in the end. SABINA: Here, there are selfish misers too, Mr. George. And it's they, too, who win out in the end. MR. GEORGE: These Kawakan folks aren't so bad! SABINA: Mr. George, I wish to tell you a dreamI've been dreaming! I want to come to the city with you. MR. GEORGE: Cities can be so tiring, Sabina! City folks can be so tiring!

SABINA: Is that true, Mr. George? MR. GEORGE: Very true, dear. SABINA: Do they tire you, Mr. George? MR. GEORGE: Indeed they do. SABINA: Then I don't want to tire you. MR. GEORGE: We all have dreams. I, too have a dream, and mine is here in Kawakan. Don't you like it here? SABINA (Hesitantly): As long as you are happy, then nothing at all will matter. MR. GEORGE: I'm happy here, Sabina! Come don't you think it's time to go to sleep? SABINA: Just as you wish, Mr., George. I'll have your room ready in a minute. She goes into her room, but she comes back quickly with a silver sewing box. SABINA: Before we say goodnight, there's something I want to show you. MR.GEORGE: Yes, dear, what is it? SABINA (As she take's out several embroidered handkerchiefs from the box): I've worked them all myself, Mr. George, every night while you were away. MR. GEORGE (Taking the handkerchiefs): Sabina, they're lovely! "To Mr.George." Well! Well! SABINA: I'm glad you like them. They are for you; Mr. George There’s a little thought I wove into each letter, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: Darling, I cannot thank you! You're the sweetest thing. SABINA: I kept thinking about you and I will be married some day. And I'll bring a child into that house, and many more if I am able. MR. GEORGE: Sweetheart. SABINA: There's just one more thing I want to show you. (She shows him a baby's lace bonnet.) For the gift itself I'll bring you into that house.

MR. GEORGE (Trying not to show his confusion): Sabina! Do you mean…. are you… SABINA: Oh, I'm glad I’ve told you! MR. GEORGE: That's wonderful darling! (Silence.) Sabina, have you told anyone? SABINA: I've told no one, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: Are you sure, Sabina? SABINA: I'm very sure, Mr.George! MR. GEORGE: Then don't tell anyone ... not yet ... not for just a while yet…. will you, dear? SABINA: If you wish it, I shall tell no one! Aren't you happy, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE (Distractedly): Yes, yes, of course, my dearest! SABINA (Thoughtfully): I'm so glad you are happy. And I am so happy we're to be married. MR. GEORGE: Come close to me, darling, there's something awful difficult I want to tell you. We cannot get married. SABINA (Looking at him in consternation.): What? ... Why? You don't mean what you're saying! MR. GEORGE: I do. I'm already married, Sabina! SABINA (Stupefied): You’re telling me a lie! MR.GEORGE: I'm telling you the honest truth, dear. SABINA: Then it's ... MR. GEORGE: Yes, it's true. SABINA (Brokenly): Oh...Oh! ... It's true then? What Antero said is true then... There someone else? ...Someone is between us! MR. GEORGE: She can't come between us! I promise you! Somehow, I've never known her, my wife, I mean. She can't make herself part of me as you have, Sabina! And I wanted so much to keep your love.

SABINA (Turning away defeated): You've cheated me! You've lied to me! MR.GEORGE: I didn't want to lose you, that's why! Honest, I didn't ... SABINA: You lied! You lied! Oh, you've cheated me! MR. GEORGE: Dearest, I couldn't help it! SABINA (Softly, intensely): You'll never know what it is to love! MR. GEORGE: I never knew love until I met you! SABINA (Remorsefully): Oh, I can't believe anything you say now! (She sobs bitterly, but softly.) MR. GEORGE: Dearest, you, must listen to me! You've got to believe me! SABINA: The first time you said you loved me, I believed you then as I believe truly in a god! And I came to you thinking there, was nothing between us! But you've cheated me! You've lied to me! MR. GEORGE: Don't say that! Nothing should matter between us, Let us go on being happy together, just as we have been doing, Sabina! SABINA:-I can't be happy now. There's an emptiness lying between us now, a wide, black, silent darkness! And no power on earth can brighten this darkness forever. MR. GEORGE: You've got to listen to me. You must listen -to me! SABINA: I can only hear them laughing now! I can only hear the misers; of love laughing in the darkness! MR. GEORGE: Others can't come between our love! SABINA: Perhaps they’re not misers after all! Yes, I can hear them shouting! Outside love, all is death! MR. GEORGE: No, Sabina, don't speak of death! We still have love! SABINA: There are only the others now! I can hear them clearly ... (She stares at the darkness.) "You'll be lonely, Sabina! . . ., You'll be alone, let go that lamp! . . . Marry him, then, if

you can! ... Only don't ever call on us" . . . (She turns helplessly to MR. GEORGE.) Mr. George, I can hear them coming! I can hear them laughing, Mr. George! MR.GEORGE: Sabina, for God's sake, listen to me! SABINA (Moving away): No! No! ... It's all so strange! At first I, believed you, and', then one day you lied, and I woke up and my belief in you died forever! I can't even believe in myself any more! MR. GEORGE: What are you saying to me? Think only of our love! Think of our love! SABINA: And what of me? What is to become of me? What shall I ever- tell them now? (She goes to him again in a frenzy of fear and helplessness.) Mr. George! Mr. George, help me! Tell me it's all a lie. Tell me everything is not death! Tell me there's, a love better than life itself. MR. GEORGE: Yes, Sabina! Our love! Our love! Better than life itself! Oh, I love you still, you must believe me! SABINA: I'm scared of them, Mr. George! I'm afraid of the darkness! MR GEORGE: I'm here, don't be afraid! SABINA: Yes, yes, I mustn't be afraid, Mr. George! I mustn't be afraid! ... MR. GEORGE: Well love each other always! Always! SABINA: We'll watch the darkness together! MR. GEORGE: You must get a little rest now. You must sleep. You must have something to quiet your nerves now. You'll be all right tomorrow! SABINA: Oh yes! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! ... I’m happy for tomorrow, Mr. George! I'm not scared now, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: That's right, dear! I’ll get you something from the car to calm your nerves. (He rises.) SABINA: I'm all, right, if you promise to come

back! MR. GEORGE: I shan't be a minute, Sabina! SABINA: I shall be waiting, Mr. George! I shall be waiting forever! MR. GEORGE: That's good! That's the girl. (He goes.) She stares blankly into the darkness and keeps on mumbling. SABINA (In a monotone): Outside love, nothing lives! . . . Nothing lives ... Tomorrow. . . Tomorrow . . . Outside love ... Grandpa, where are you? Mother ... Mother ... where are you? (Footsteps are heard from the main door. She faces the door fearfully.) Mother, death lives… death lives… It's Mother! It's Mother! ... But it is ANTERO who appears. She recoils fearfully from him. SABINA: Oh, it's only you, Antero. I thought it was Mother. ANTERO (Coldly): A nice time for you to think of Mother! There's no use now! I don't care if your conscience bothers you now! SABINA (Blankly): Yes! Antero, yes! (ANTERO starts for the kitchen door.) Antero, listen tome! Don't be angry with me! ANTERO: Don't you tell me anything! Get married if you can, quickly. The sooner you leave this house, the better. Go to the city with him, if you can! I don't care! SABINA (Holding on to him): No, no, Antero! I know now that I was wrong! ... Listen to me! (She clings to him.) ANTERO: So it's no, is it? (He pushes her abruptly away; she falls.) My God, don't come to me! Don’t talk to me! Don't you dare tell any of us anything! (He goes to the kitchen, leaving her on the floor.) SABINA: Antero, listen to me! Antero, comeback! (She cries pitifully). I was wrong, Antero! I Only wanted to tell you were right. I was wrong. But tomorrow…tomorrow… it will be all right tomorrow! She rises and looks around slowly, then cries and runs to her bedroom. There is a short silence. Then a gunshot is heard. A brief silence

again ANTERO comes in excitedly, looks around, the rushes to the bedroom. ANTERO: Sabina! Sabina, where are you? Mr. GEORGE (Outside): Sabina! ANTERO (Coming out nervously): Mr. George! MR. GEORGE enters excitedly. MR. GEORGE: I heard a shot, ANTERO! What is it? ANTERO is too overcome to answer. MR. GEORGE: For God's sake where's Sabina? (He rushes to the bedroom.), I Sabina! Why? MR. GEORGE comes out carrying SABINA dying body. MR. GEORGE: Call the doctor, quick, Antero! ANTERO: There's no doctor in this village! He goes out. MR.GEORGE places SABINA on the easy chair by the window. SABINA: I’m not afraid anymore, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: Don't talk! SABINA: Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: Darling forgive me. SABINA: Will you think of me always? MR.GEORGE: I’ll always1ove you. SABINA (With an effort): Tell the traders you knew of a dark woman ... Who was faithful, Mr. George! MR. GEORGE: Sabina, don't leave me! Don't leave me! SABINA: I shall be waiting, Mr.George on a sand hill by the sea… I shall be waiting forever…… (She dies.)

MR. GEORGE: Sabina! It's all my fault! The others, ANTERO, CLETA,, ARISTON, RUSTICA, MAMERTO, URSULA and the, two neighbors come in hurriedly. CLETA: What has happened? (She suddenly realizes SABINA is dead and cries hysterically) Grandma! Grandma! She's dead! The others try to quiet her. The old woman approaches SABINA’s body and begins mourning. The men place the bamboo couch in front of the altar; the women take a white blanket from the room, and spread it on the couch. OLD WOMAN (Praying): It's an evil night! It's an evil night, Mr. George! The men carry SABINA's body and lay her gently on the couch. They cover half her body with another white blanket. The others begin praying and mourning over the body. MR. GEORGE comes away from the window and joins the mourners. CLETA (Calling out to Mr. George): Mr. George! Mr. George! Please leave our Sabina alone! The mourners look strangely at MR. GEORGE but he goes to the head of the couch and kneels sorrowfully by SABINA'S body. OLD WOMAN (Lamenting): It is an evil night, Mamerto. OLD MAN: Her death's but her new life just begun, Rustica! Her life's bigger than our petty lives now! Ours will be the sadness now; ours will be the loneliness forever! And we shan't be happy till our selfish hearts have learned to love truly forever. They start to pray again. A brilliant shaft of moonlight falls on SABINA’s body as the men carry her out, praying as they go. A bamboo flute is heard far away. Once more we hear the turtle crying