)
SCENE II.--It is the island which we have dreamed about all our lives.
But at present we cannot see it properly, for it is dark. In one of
those tropical darknesses which can be felt rather than seen OLIVER
hands JILL out of the boat.
OLIVER. Tread carefully, Jill, there are lots of deadly rattlesnakes
about.
JILL (stepping hastily back into the boat). Oli-ver!
OLIVER. You hear the noise of their rattles sometimes when the sun is
sinking behind the swamp. (The deadly rattle of the rattlesnake is
heard) There!
JILL. Oh, Oliver, are they very deadly? Because if they are, I don't
think I shall like your island.
OLIVER. Those aren't. I always have their teeth taken out when ladies
are coming. Besides, it's daylight now.
(With a rapidity common in the tropics--although it may just be
OLIVER'S gallantry--the sun climbs out of the sea, and floods the
island, JILL, no longer frightened, steps out of the boat, and they
walk up to the clearing in the middle.)
JILL (looking about her). Oh, what a lovely island! I think it's
lovely, Oliver.
OLIVER (modestly). It's pretty decent, isn't it? Won't you lie down? I
generally lie down here and watch the turtles coming out of the sea to
deposit their eggs on the sand.
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