Scene as Murete's dwelling. Murete is about to leave home for the
human festivities. Stops to clean his nails against the bark of the tree.

MURETE: [grumbling.] Fine time to tell me he no longer needs me.
What will I find at this hour but the dregs of emptied pots?
If it wasn't considered obscene I would compensate my loss
from the palm tree. Can't understand why not. Human
beings drink their mother's milk. Drink the milk of
mothers other than their own. Drink goat's milk. Cow's
milk. Pig's blood. So just because I am Murete of the trees
is no reason why I shouldn't climb the palm tree and help
myself. I'll do it too. One of these days when I am drunk
enough. [Stops.] Hm, there doesn't seem to be any sense in
that. If I'm drunk, then I am not thirsty, so what would I
be doing up the palm? [Examines his nails with satisfaction.
Straightens up his finery.] But I'll do it just the same. If Aroni
likes, he can ostracize me.

[Eshuoro enters from behind, grasps him by the throat.]

ESHUORO: Swear, not a word.

MURETE: [choking.] I swear.

ESHUORO: Not a word to anyone that you saw me.

MURETE: I swear.

ESHUORO: Swear again. And don't forget that Eshuoro does not
forgive the sacrilegious. [Forces a leaf between his teeth and
tears it off.] Swear!

MURETE: [I: swear.

[Eshuoro lets him go, Murete stumbles angrily spitting out the
piece of leaf his mouth.]

MURETE: [with impotent fury.) Have you had your fill of eating

-44-