(She pauses. Bitoy has taken out a notebook and is jotting down what she is saying. She and Paula exchange glances.)
BITOY (looking up expectantly): Yes? He promised himself what?
CANDIDA (dryly continuing): Well, he promised that if he ever found himself here in the Philippines he would try to locate father. So, he came here, and he saw father. And he saw this new painting, and then he published that article. As I said, he was a very nice man—but we are sorry now he ever came.
BITOY (looking up): Sorry?
CANDIDA: Tell me something, Bitoy—are you a newspaper reporter?
BITOY (after a moment’s hesitation): Yes. Yes, I am.
CANDIDA (smiling): And that is why you have come to visit us after all these years!
(Still smiling, she walks away. Bitoy looks blankly after her. She goes to table a
