Friday, July 28, 2006

A Day

I just feel like putting down a few random things that happened today into part of my memory box.

After playing touch rugby for P.E, the girls and i were on our way up the ramp from the canteen to the atrium. While on our way up, all of us were looking at the dark rolling clouds when Marlina spotted a portion of a rainbow at the spot where the clouds were converging to cover it up. While that spot was being covered up, another spot was slowly opening up that reveleved another portion of the rainbow. The rainbow was awesome, it takes a while to release that its a rainbow as it isn't very distinct. While Wan Wen and i tried to capture the image on our handphones and realised that a powerful camera would be needed, i felt for a moment that everything was slowing down and the appreciation of nature made me realise that there is much more to this world besides the academics.

The 2nd incident was Radiah's questions to help me feel inspired although i was feeling pretty much inspired and was in a happy mood. There were a couple more questions about a $10 note but i can't seem to remember them right now. What i remembered was the question on what do you get if you cut an apple into half. I answered illogically: pulp, seeds and the skin. She replied a Star from the arrangement of the seeds and this is something that we have inside everyone of us, it is just a matter of how you view yourself and the rest.

Sin Yi's comments on her blog regarding my warm greetings whenever i meet her led me to tag on her blog. I wrote: If i aint going to be happy and make others happy, who is going to make me happy when others are sadand depressed. I feel it makes sense especially with the way time seems to fly in school except when its towards the end of the day when there is P.E.

I am not sure about what i feel right now, althought i am not confused. It is just a feeling of plainess and nothing more. No excessive emotions with no extremes.

I learnt a certain something about a certain someone and i am not going to bring it up to the person as that has never risen as a topic before and i will not bring up this topic unless the certain someone brings it up willingly. Also please do not ask me who this someone is.

A great movie that left me traumatised and enlightened at the same time was If these walls could speak staring Demi Moore, Sissy Speck and Cher. It is about how 3 different women in three different time periods: 1950s, 1970s and 1990s deal with the issue with unplanned pregnancy, the kind of advice and support they receive from their close friends and their eventual decision which is either to carry on with the pregnancy or to undergo abortion. It is a great femenist movie that i would show my children but more than that it is a movie that would shake anyone, who think abortion is a easy option, out of their senses. While i am not anti- abortion, i am also not dead fast against abortion as there are cases when it is the only option available for the mother-to-be. Do watch it if you can get your hands on the Dvd.

Also, I am sorry to say Ms K, I do not find Shakespeare's plays filled with rich and beautiful poetry. I can tell verse from prose no doubt, however i do not find it poetic. I am open to critics who feel otherwise. Maybe my view, could be prejudiced. I do not like poetry very much although it is easy to interpret at times. I am willing to change my view the day i find my favourite poet/poem whichever comes first.

Well, i shall just leave this post here and say Tata to all, since i have nothing more to say. Thank you to all my classmates for making it easy to go through the entire day without having to skip or take the Green form.

Tata

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

To my Debate juniors

I just want to tell my juniors aka the MJC Debate Team 06 that i am not pissed with you guys. I just couldn't see you all fall apart like that. Also, every single one of you have the potential to make it far. Do not let anything come between you guys.

To Yih Ching, Rani and Nicholas, i hope my session with you guys helped. Thanks for the tag Nicholas, but i really hope that your prep tomorrow goes well and so does the match against HCI. Like Deborah said, they are beatable, so give your best shots.

Keep me updated on the news. Have a good prep session tomorrow, take care of each other, be a team and show the HCI-ians who you guys really are. Most important: Have Fun and Take away a learning point no matter what the outcome is.

I am optimistic. Do your best and remember your seniors' motto: Debating brings out the bitch in you.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Practise, Peseverance and Prayer

I am going to do exactly what my grades are right now: DOO. I am not going to be giving up and lying in the wallows. I am going to push myself and achieve my aims. Nothing is going to stop me now. The situation at home, whatever it may be is not going to hinder me. I will do what i want.

The results of the entire cohort except for those that have studied hard and well are dismall. I just want to tell all students who will be sitting for the A levels at the end of this year that these are not our A level grades and if we work hard enough, we will achieve whatever goals we have set out for ourselves.

This week has given me a feeling of moving on with a huge surge. I have no idea why, but its good. This is exactly what i am going to do. I shall not allow myself to be held back by anything.

I will push my limits till i can, after which i will let myself be. While i will hit my books with force, i will also keep in mind others who are in the "race" together.

No matter what I am going to peservere and prove myself capable of doing Law. Just like how i plowed through thousands of blogskins to find this blogskin that fits my idea of a blogskin that i would like, I will plow through the notes and all else and achieve those grades that I want to get.

I am not being over-confident but I am just keeping myself on the toes to prepare for whatever comes my way.

Practise, Persevearance and Prayer is the Way!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Incidents and Accidents

I know that i will have this day imprinted in my memory forever. The MJC Debates Team 06 won both preliminary rounds and received Best Speakers in both rounds as well. I couldn't be any happier. To Yih Ching, Sharmilla, Rani and Jazmine you Girls were good, you have a long way to go and you can always improve. Nicholas, Dude you were awesome. Your speeches were great. You deserved Best Speaker in both rounds, hands down. Gosh, seeing you cry after debating with Cjc made it really hard for me to keep my composure. Yih Ching, everyday you will learn something and i am really sure you must have taken a learning point away from today. Rani, your composure is amazing, a bit more practice and brushing up will bring you up to a higher level for sure. Sharmilla, a bit more structure and stylistic speeches will bring you up to a notch higher for sure. Jazmine, you need to know which style suits you best, i personally feel a mix of aggression and composure will deliver results. Nicholas, just keep going the way you are. You are the anchor of the team, just be cool and yourself and you will never go wrong. Also you know that I will be there so if you are unsure about a point, look to your audience for reassurance and you will get it.

I am so happy that i can't help but let the tears flow now. I think its due to the songs that i am listening to: If we hold on together by Diana Ross, That's what friends are for by Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and other artists, Hero by Mariah Carey and All for love by Sting, Rod Stewart and Brain Adams. You guys were amazing and can do more than just making TJ and CJ bite the dust, make another one do the same for the other competitions.

To Bernadatte from CJ, you are an amazing speaker and with a good team, your potential will shine for sure. To Rishik and Nigel, your performence left me speechless, i seriously didn't expect that. I think it could be due to my impression of you guys. But Aisha was great, her layout etc was flawless.

I am going to be getting my dear Juniors chocolates for their amazing performance. I just want to let you guys know that your Boss is always going to be there for you guys. If anything, I am here. You are cool bunch, I am really glad to have you as my juniors.

Besides today, this week has been eventful. On Tuesday, i was a tennis ball magnet or Darianne and Justin had a conspiracy against me. That P.E lesson was hilarious, Besides serving and a few volleys, the numerous number of balls across the net to the other end of the court and everyone hitting balls not from their partners, left our class screaming and shouting, picking up our stray shots and just having a jolly good time. On Wednesday, a cockroach decided to attend Mrs Chua's Physical Geog lecture and freaked the girls of my class(it includes me) out by scuttling around Vanessa's legs. I went to look for the Operations Manager: Mr Teng but he was out for lunch. The School needs to be funigated soon, This is the 3rd time, we have encountered a cockroach in the Lt, the 1st time was a Geog lecture as well but Mr Chen squashed it to stop the screaming of the all the girls in the Lt and 2nd time was during Lit lecture when someone out of their boredom noticed a huge cockroach snoozing on the walls.

This week has been filled with loads of Incidents and Accidents and usually a mixture of both. I just remembered the session i had with the Debators on Friday with the Motion: This house would distribute condoms to JC Students. Trust Nicholas to come up with it and me saying yes to it as we couldn't figure out Debbie's: This house would subsidise Viagra for the poor.

So for those of you who think debates is always about really boring topics, well i am sure you think other wise now. Oh, I lust remembered the motion that i thought of during the Debate against that was formulated like the one that we were debating: This house believes that patriotism has no Future. I came up with: This house believes that Debating has not future.

Imagine debating over this motion. I think it would be hilarious and absolutely crappy, maybe we should during the gathering that Ms K wants to have.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Who remembers Rustu of Turkey?

The World cup is finally over. Italy won, Yippie for them. Poor Zidene got provoked by an Italian and decided to become a Bull and head butt that player, aint it a sad way to retire or remembered, but in my eyes he is a Great Player. I was so happy for Oliver Kahn when he toke on his position of the Goalie and helped his team to be 3rd in place. Besides Kahn, my other favourite Goalies include David Seamen and David James of Endland and Rustu of Turkey(P.s he is a Taurus as well, wohoo!!). Who can remember him? Not only was he an amazing Goalie but i loved his 2 black streaks below his eyes like a hockey player, to reflect the light off so that he can keep track of the Ball and thats what he did!!

I am feeling the heat of the A's. I hope i can stick to my plan and achieve my goals. I am just going to take a day at a time. My short-term goals are absolutely critical for me to get my long -term goals to be true.

The upcoming JCDC's has got me all fire-ry about debates again. I can feel that my juniors are much better then what we were. Infact, some of them are even better then me. So the 15th is a day off from studying. However, at the end of the day, i just want them to learn and have fun.

For some weird reason, i feel contented for the day. I have not accomplished a single thing in academic sense and it already 8.44 pm right now. I really need to get something done, if not i really deserve a slap.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Cramps oh Cramps

First it was the Dust allergy, then the Cold and now the cramps. While i feel assured that nothing is wrong with the continous ongoings of the biological cycle, the cramps are something that really makes everything seem miserable. Its due to the stress of the mid-years, the one week delay and all the pressure right now that the cramps seem horrible when they are already unbearable. Seriously, i do not need no preparation for Child birth right now. Maybe its just the stress and whats meant to happen that is happening.

Just because of this, I won't be going down for the debates friendly with SAJC tomorrow. Just want to tell the team: Don't give up, Debating is a sport, take everything that comes your way in your stride and never think you are horrible at debates. You guys have a great coach from the very beginning of your JC debates, so you can improve and will. You guys know that i will be there for the JCDCs, with all the practice sessions and all - i noe that you guys are absolutely prepared to face TJ and CJ in the preliminary rounds.

For some reason, i have been feeling rather resigned these days. I just do not like the state that i am in. I think the best is to turn in early tonight. I just want to watch the stars tonight before i sleep.

G'nite to all

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Learn to Serve

This is what my main aim in life has always been: To learn to serve. Whats the use of being talented in your field or having the knowledge about something but never share it with others? I have never found pleasure in knowing something and not sharing it with others especially if it would be beneficial. Gossiping is something that i am not talking about here. I am also not writing this down here to make others follow my aim or something, i have just written it down to remind me of my aim.

I think this is exactly what is going to be keeping me sane throughout anything(i hope). I agree i have never been much of a study group person but that is my studying style. However that does not mean that i will never help if i am asked. If i can't help, i will tell you that i can't and refer you to someone who would know or help you find out that stuff. (Note: If you are planning of just making me do stuff for you, tough luck, i aint that gullible.)

I have no idea why i wanted to write this down. I think it is something that i feel, know about more and practice it more often in my life than anyththing else. Also, this part of me is something that i find it very hard to translate into words. Maybe, this could also be the reason why i am intersted in Civil and Family Law.

I feel that if you are genuinely interested in something, money will follow automatically. But if you are going to be a money-driven person, for sure you may achieve that status etc but satisfaction in life is something that you will be sorely missing.

I think i am just in a daze with my dust allergy irritating me. Got this table cleaned up, showed my maid the difference between her cleaning and mine. This is why i never allow my maid to clean my room except for the mopping part, i am just so particular that i will go mad is there is any dust or if anything is out of place, i prefer to do things myself and be a happy person than getting mad at others. Yes, i am a organised person but not a perfectionist. My table is always a mess during exam periods and i love the mess then but once that time is gone, i get caught up in a tidying frenzy which make my nose go into a frenzy. Darn me.

I just remebered my belting of "Tis the Season to be jolly" right outside the class that Chris Chen was invigilating for Human Geog before the exam unknowingly and his outburst that no one caught. Poor guy, it definitely wasn't a jolly season for him considering he has to mark our scripts, esp my script after that. I also recalled seeing Ms Lai looking happy as she left the LT yesterday and i remarked to Justin, Marlz and Evie that she could be on anti-depressents due to our mid year results.Yuvan's recitation of the economic advantages of hosting the world cup, prevented me from calming down before the Paper 8 exam yesterday as i was wondering what was he talking about. I remembered writing Ha Ha Ha right next to the Silas Marner context during the Paper 1 exam, i can't remember why.

The World cup is a shocker. I expected England to leave because they were just concentrating too much on Owen, Rooney and Beckham when they have players like Walcott, Lennon, Joe Cole, Gerrad to deliver the results had Sven been concentrating on them and not mourning the loss of his "Holy Trinity".

Brazil this year wasn't as good, it was the media and attention hype on them having won 2 previous world cups that covered up the loopholes in their playing. Ronaldinho wasn't performing along with his older "brother" Ronaldo. Kaka has the ability for sure but he was caught in between the unperforming duo. Soccer being a team sport requires everyone on the field to pitch in and deliver. There is definitely someone who will be the driving force but if the rest of the parts are not oiled, How in the enitre world do you expect that team to get anywhere. I hope this teaches the Brazilians not to be too lax and depend on previous victories to boost them up.

Its sad to see these two teams to leave as there are players in there who have put in all their heart and soul but cannot achieve their dreams this year.

I have been supporting Germany till date right from the beginning. Their loss is heartbreaking no doubt but the Italians deserve a chance at the finals. I have been reading up on the constant concentration and hardwork of these Italians to reach their aim. They have never exposed themselves to the Media too much unless absolute neccessary and have maintained their composure. I really admire their determination as a team. Despite the slight disagreements, which is found in every team, they have stayed together as one. They deserve the cup should they win France this Sunday, July 9th. I have no idea about France's capabilities except for Theirry Henry. I just do not want the Finals to end with a Penalty shoot out.

Oh well, my nose is feeling better now, i shall go and read my books now...toodles to all!

Saturday, July 01, 2006

The Winer of The Dance

This is a really interesting short film that i really liked. Go to this Keri Smith's blog to find out more about this video. Her blog is a very interesting read but you need the time for it. Here's the add: http://www.kerismith.com/blog/


http://www.current.tv/studio/vm2/vm2.swf?type=vcc&id=7090419" quality="high" flashvars="videoType=vcc&videoID=7090419" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="360" width="335">


What i really liked about this video is the dancing(it is freestyle and based on the perceptions of the individuals as there is no hard and fast rule that was set up by them to dance in a certain style) and the little snippets of commentary by the dancers themselves. Gosh, this is possible on in Canada and anywhere else then Singapore, try to imagine doing this in the Hot, Sweltering Sun and the Sudden onslaught of the Rain....haha

(Upadate: I am sorry, i have no idea why the video won't show, any ideas anyone? Anyway do go to Keri Smith's blog http://www.kerismith.com/blog/ to view the video. Sorry for the Prob)

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell

I was so intrigued by this play last year when Dr S took an excerpt from it for our Paper 8 lesson that i went to hunt for it. I forgot the website and managed to hunt it down again. REad the Play and enjoy, its amazing how men can be so ignorant of the little things that women can pick up on.

Trifles by Susan Glaspell:
Scene: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order--unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dish towel on the table--other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the outer door opens,and the Sheriff comes in, followed by the county Attorney and Hale. The Sheriff and Hale are men in middle life, the county Attorney is a young man; all are much bundled up and go at once to the stove. They are followed by the two women--the Sheriff's Wife first; she is a slight wiry woman, a thin nervous face. Mrs. Hale is larger and would ordinarily be called more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and looks fearfully about as she enters. The women have come in slowly and stand close together near the door.
COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands). This feels good. Come up to the fire, ladies.
MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward). I'm not--cold.
SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business). Now, Mr. Hale, before we move things about, you explain to Mr. Henderson just what you saw when you came here yesterday morning.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. By the way, has anything been moved? Are things just as you left them yesterday?
SHERIFF (looking about). It's just the same. When it dropped below zer0 last night, I thought I'd better send Frank out this morning to make a fire for us--no use getting pneumonia with a big case on; but I told him not to touch anything except the stove--and you know Frank.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here yesterday.
SHERIFF. Oh--yesterday. When I had to send Frank to Morris Center for that man who went crazy--I want you to know I had my hands full yesterday. I knew you could get back from Omaha by today, and as long as I went over everything here myself-
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, Mr. Hale, tell just what happened when you came here yesterday morning.
HALE. Harry and I had started to town with a load of potatoes. We came along the road from my place; and as I got here, I said, "I'm going to see if I can't get John Wright to go in with me on a party telephone." I spoke to Wright about it once before, and he put me off, saying folks talked too much anyway, and all he asked was peace and quiet--I guess you know about how much he talked himself; but I thought maybe if I went to the house and talked about it before his wife, though I said to Harry that I didn't know as what his wife wanted made much difference to John--
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Let's talk about that later, Mr. Hale. I do want to talk about that, but tell now just what happened when you got to the house.
HALE. I didn't hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside. I knew they must be up, it was past eight o'clock. so I knocked again, and I thought I heard somebody say, "Come in." I wasn't sure, I'm not sure yet, but I opened the door--this door (indicating the door by which the two women are still standing), and there in that rocker-- (pointing to it) sat Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY. What--was she doing?
HALE. She was rockin' back and forth. She had her apron in her hand and was kind of--pleating it.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. And how did she--look?
HALE. Well, she looked queer.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. How do you mean--queer?
HALE. Well, as if she didn't know what she was going to do next. And kind of done up.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. How did she seem to feel about your coming?
HALE. Why, I don't think she minded--one way or other. She didn't pay much attention. I said, "How do, Mrs. Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?"--and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, I was surprised; she didn't ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even looking at me, so I said, "I want to see John." And then she--laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh. I thought of Harry and the team outside, so I said a little sharp:"Can't I see John?" "No," she says, kind o' dull like. "Ain't he home?" says I. "Yes," says she, "he's home." "Then why can't I see him?" I asked her, out of patience. "'Cause he's dead," says she. "Dead?" says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited, but rockin' back and forth. "Why--where is he?" says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs--like that (himself pointing to the room above). I got up, with the idea of going up there. I talked from there to here--then I says, "Why, what did he die of?" "He died of a rope around his neck," says she, and just went on pleatin' at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I thought I might--need help. We went upstairs, and there he was lying'--
COUNTY ATTORNEY. I think I'd rather have you go into that upstairs, where you can point in all out. Just go on now with the rest of the story.
HALE. Well, my first thought was to get that rope off. I looked...(Stops, his face twitches.)...but Harry, he went up to him, and he said, "No, he's dead all right, and we'd better not touch anything." So we went back downstairs. She was still sitting that same way. "Has anybody been notified?" I asked." "No," says she, unconcerned. "Who did this, Mrs. Wright?" said Harry. He said it business-like--and she stopped pleatin' of her apron. "I don't know," she says. "You don't know?" says Harry. "No," says she, "Weren't you sleepin' in the bed with him?" says Harry. "Yes," says she, "but I was on the inside." "Somebody slipped a rope round his neck and strangled him, and you didn't wake up?" says Harry. "I didn't wake up," she said after him. We must 'a looked as if we didn't see how that could be, for after a minute she said, "I sleep sound." Harry was going to ask her more questions, but I said maybe we ought to let her tell her story first to the coroner, or the sheriff, so Harry went fast as he could to Rivers' place, where there's a telephone.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. And what did Mrs. Wright do when she knew that you had gone for the coroner.
HALE. she moved from that chair to this over here... (Pointing to a small chair in the corner)...and just sat there with her hand held together and looking down. I got a feeling that I ought to make some conversation, so I said I had come in to see if John wanted to put in a telephone, and at that she started to laugh, and then she stopped and looked at me--scared.
(The County Attorney, who has had his notebook out, makes a note.) I dunno, maybe it wasn't scared. I wouldn't like to say it was. Soon Harry got back, and then Dr. Lloyd came, and you, Mr. Peters, and so I guess that's all I know that you don't.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. (looking around). I guess we'll go upstairs first--and then out to the barn and around there. (To the Sheriff). You're convinced that there was nothing important here--nothing that would point to any motive?
SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things.
(The County Attorney, after again looking around the kitchen, opens the door of a cupboard closet. He gets up on a chair and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here's a nice mess. (The women draw nearer.)
MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did freeze. (To the Lawyer). She worried about that when it turned so cold. She said the fire'd go out and her jars would break.
SHERIFF. Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin' about her preserves.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. I guess before we're through she may have something more serious than preserves to worry about.
HALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles. (The two women move a little closer together.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend. He goes to the sink, takes dipperful of water form the pail and, pouring it into a basin, washes his hands. Starts to wipe them on the roller towel, turns it for a cleaner place.) Dirty towels! (Kicks his foot against the pans under the sink.) Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?
MRS. HALE (stiffly). There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. To be sure. And yet... (With a little bow to her.) ...I know there are some Dickson county farmhouses which do not have such roller towels. (He gives it a pull to expose its full length again.)
MRS. HALE. Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men's hands aren't always as clean as they might be.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Ah, loyal to your sex, I see. But you and Mrs. Wright were neighbors. I suppose you were friends, too.
MRS. HALE (shaking her head.) I've not seen much of her of late years. I've not been in this house--it's more than a year.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. And why was that? You didn't like her?
MRS. HALE. I liked her all well enough. Farmers' wives have their hands full, Mr. Henderson. And then--
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes--?
MRS. HALE (looking about.) It never seemed a very cheerful place.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. No--it's not cheerful. I shouldn't say she had the homemaking instinct.
MRS. HALE. Well, I don't know as Wright had, either.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. You mean that they didn't get on very well?
MRS. HALE. No, I don't mean anything. But I don't think a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'd like to talk more of that a little later. I want to get the lay of things upstairs now. (He goes to the left, where three steps lead to a stair door.)
SHERIFF. I suppose anything Mrs. Peters does'll be all right. She was to take in some clothes for her, you know, and a few little things. We left in such a hurry yesterday.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes, but I would like to see what you take, Mrs. Peters, and keep an eye out for anything that might be of use to us.
MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson. (The women listen to the men's steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)
MRS. HALE. I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. (She arranges the pans under sink which the Lawyer had shoved out of place.)
MRS. PETERS. Of course it's no more than their duty.
MRS. HALE. Duty's all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire might have got a little of this on. (Gives the roller towel a pull.) Wish I'd thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her for not having things slicked up when she had to come away in such a hurry.
MRS. PETERS. (who has gone to a small table in the left rear corner of the room, and lifted on end of a towel that covers a pan). She had bread set. (Stands still.)
MRS. HALE (eyes fixed on a loaf of bread beside the breadbox, which is on a low shelf at the other side of the room. Moves slowly toward it.)she was going to put this in there. (Picks up loaf, then abruptly drops it. In a manner of returning to familiar things.) It's a shame about her fruit. I wonder if it's all gone. (Gets up on the chair and looks.) I think there's some here that's all right, Mrs. Peters. Yes--here; (Holding it toward the window.) This is cherries, too. (Looking again.) I declare I believe that's the only one. (Gets down, bottle in her hand. Goes to the sink and wipes it off on the outside.) She'll feel awful bad after all her hard work in the hot weather. I remember the afternoon I put up my cherries last summer. (She puts the bottle on the big kitchen table, center of the room, front table. With a sigh, is about to sit down in the rocking chair. Before she is seated realizes what chair it is; with a slow look at it, steps back. The chair, which she has touched, rocks back and forth.)
MRS. PETERS. Well, I must get those things from the front room closet. [She goes to the door at the right, but after looking into the other room, steps back.] You coming with me, Mrs. Hale? You could help me carry them. (They go into the other room; reappear, Mrs. Peters carrying a dress and skirt, Mrs. Hale following with a pair of shoes.)
MRS. PETERS. My, it's cold in there. (She puts the cloth on the big table, and hurries to the stove.)
MRS HALE (examining the skirt). Wright was close. I think maybe that's why she kept so much to herself. She didn't even belong to the Ladies' Aid. I suppose she felt she couldn't do her part, and then you don't enjoy things when you feel shabby. She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was MInnie Foster, one of the town girls singing in the choir. But that--oh, that was thirty years ago. This all you was to take?
MRS. PETERS. She said she wanted an apron. Funny thing to want, for there isn't much to get you dirty in jail, goodness knows. But I suppose just to make her feel more natural. She said they was in the top drawer in this cupboard. Yes, here. And then her little shawl that always hung behind the door. (Opens stair door and looks.) Yes, here it is. (Quickly shuts door leading upstairs..)
MRS. HALE (abruptly moving toward her.) Mrs. Peters?
MRS. PETERS. Do you think she did it?
MRS. PETERS (in a frightened voice.) Oh, I don't know.
MRS. HALE. Well, I don't think she did. Asking for an apron and her little shawl. Worrying about her fruit.
MRS. PETERS (starts to speak, glances up, where footsteps are heard in the room above. In a low voice.) Mrs. Peters says it looks bad for her. Mr. Henderson is awful sarcastic in speech, and he'll make fun of her sayin' she didn't wake up.
MRS. HALE. Well, I guess John Wright didn't wake when they was slipping that rope under his neck.
MRS. PETERS. No, it's strange. It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say it was such a --funny way to kill a man, rigging it all up like that.
MRS. HALE. That's just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that's what he can't understand.
MRS. PETERS. Mr. Henderson said coming out that what was needed for the case was a motive; something to show anger or--sudden feeling.
MRS. HALE (who is standing by the table). Well, I don't see any signs of anger around here. (she puts her hand on the dish towel which lies on the table, stands looking down at the table, one half of which is clean, the other half messy.) It's wiped here. (Makes a move as if to finish work, then turns and looks at loaf of bread outside the breadbox. Drops towel. In that voice of coming back to familiar things. ) Wonder how they are finding things upstairs? I hope she had it a little more there. You know, it seems kind of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against her!
MRS. PETERS. But, Mrs. Hale, the law is the law.
MRS. HALE. I s'pose 'tis. (Unbuttoning her coat.) Better loosen up your things, Mrs. Peters. You won't feel them when you go out. (Mrs. Peters takes off her fur tippet, goes to hang it on hook at the back of room, stands looking at the under part of the small corner table.)
MRS. PETERS. She was piecing a quilt. (She brings the large sewing basket, and they look at the bright pieces.)
MRS. HALE. It's log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder if she was goin' to quilt or just knot it? (Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs. The Sheriff enters, followed by Hale and the County Attorney.)
SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it. (The men laugh, the women look abashed.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands over the stove). Frank's fire didn't do much up there, did it? Well, let's go out to the barn and get that cleared up. (The men go outside.)
MRS. HALE (resentfully). I don't know as there's anything so strange, our takin' up our time with little things while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. (She sits down at the big table, smoothing out a block with decision.) I don't see as it's anything to laugh about.
MRS. PETERS. (apologetically). Of course they've got awful important things on their minds. (Pulls up a chair and joins Mrs. Hale at the table.)
MRS. HALE (examining another block.) Mrs. Peters, look at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (After she has said this, they look at each other, then start to glance back at the door. After an instant Mrs. Hale has pulled at a knot and ripped the sewing.)
MRS. PETERS. Oh, what are you doing, Mrs. Hale?
MRS. HALE (mildly). Just pulling out a stitch or two that's not sewed very good. (Threading a needle). Bad sewing always made me fidgety.
MRS. PETERS. (nervously). I don't think we ought to touch things.
MRS. HALE. I'll just finish up this end. (Suddenly stopping and leaning forward.) Mrs. Peters?
MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mrs. Hale?
MRS. HALE. What do you suppose she was so nervous about?
MRS. PETERS. Oh--I don't know. I don't know as she was nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I'm just tired. (Mrs. Hale starts to say something looks at Mrs. Peters, then goes on sewing.) Well, I must get these things wrapped up. They may be through sooner than we think. (Putting apron and other things together.) I wonder where I can find a piece of paper, and string.
MRS. HALE. In that cupboard, maybe.
MRS. PETER. (looking in cupboard). Why, here's a birdcage. (Holds it up.) Did she have a bird, Mrs. Hale?
MRS. HALE. Why, I don't know whether she did or not--I've not been here for so long. There was a man around last year selling canaries cheap, but I don't know as she took one; maybe she did. She used to sing real pretty herself.
MRS. PETERS. (glancing around). Seems funny to think of a bird here. But she must have had one, or why should she have a cage? I wonder what happened to it?
MRS. HALE. I s'pose maybe the cat got it.
MRS. PETERS. No, she didn't have a cat. She's got that feeling some people have about cats--being afraid of them. My cat got in her room, and she was real upset and asked me to take it out.
MRS. HALE. My sister Bessie was like that. Queer, ain't it?
MRS. PETERS. (examining the cage). Why, look at this door. It's broke. One hinge is pulled apart.
MRS. HALE. (looking, too.) Looks as if someone must have been rough with it.
MRS. PETERS. Why, yes. (she brings the cage forward and puts it on the table.)
MRS. HALE. I wish if they're going to find any evidence they'd be about it. I don't like this place.
MRS. PETERS. But I'm awful glad you came with me, Mrs. Hale. It would be lonesome of me sitting here alone.
MRS. HALE. It would, wouldn't it? (Dropping her sewing). But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs. Peters. I wish I had come over sometimes she was here. I-- (Looking around the room.)--wish I had.
MRS. PETERS. But of course you were awful busy, Mrs. Hale---your house and your children.
MRS. HALE. I could've come. I stayed away because it weren't cheerful--and that's why I ought to have come. I--I've never liked this place. Maybe because it's down in a hollow, and you don't see the road. I dunno what it is, but it's a lonesome place and always was. I wish I had come over to see Minnie Foster sometimes. I can see now--(Shakes her head.)
MRS. PETERS. Well, you mustn't reproach yourself, Mrs. Hale. Somehow we just don't see how it is with other folks until--something comes up.
MRS. HALE. Not having children makes less work--but it makes a quiet house, and Wright out to work all day, and no company when he did come in. Did you know John Wright, Mrs. Peters?
MRS. PETERS. Not to know him; I've seen him in town. They say he was a good man.
MRS. HALE. Yes--good; he didn't drink, and kept his word as well as most, I guess, and paid his debts. But he was a hard man, Mrs. Peters. Just to pass the time of day with him. (Shivers.) Like a raw wind that gets to the bone. (Pauses, her eye falling on the cage.) I should think she would 'a wanted a bird. But what do you suppose went with it?
MRS. PETERS. I don't know, unless it got sick and died. (She reaches over and swings the broken door, swings it again; both women watch it.)
MRS.> HALE. She--come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself--real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and--fluttery. How--she--did--change. (Silence; then as if struck by a happy thought and relieved to get back to everyday things.) Tell you what, Mrs. Peters, why don't you take the quilt in with you? It might take up her mind.
MRS. PETERS. Why, I think that's a real nice idea, Mrs. Hale. There couldn't possible be any objection to it, could there? Now, just what would I take? I wonder if her patches are in here--and her things. (They look in the sewing basket.)
MRS. HALE. Here's some red. I expect this has got sewing things in it (Brings out a fancy box.) What a pretty box. Looks like something somebody would give you. Maybe her scissors are in here. (Opens box. Suddenly puts her hand to her nose.) Why-- (Mrs. Peters bend nearer, then turns her face away.) There's something wrapped up in this piece of silk.
MRS. PETERS. Why, this isn't her scissors.
MRS. HALE (lifting the silk.) Oh, Mrs. Peters--it's-- (Mrs. Peters bend closer.)
MRS. PETERS. It's the bird.
MRS. HALE (jumping up.) But, Mrs. Peters--look at it. Its neck! Look at its neck! It's all--other side to.
MRS. PETERS. Somebody--wrung--its neck. (Their eyes meet. A look of growing comprehension of horror. Steps are heard outside. Mrs. Hale slips box under quilt pieces, and sinks into her chair. Enter Sheriff and County Attorney. Mrs. Peters rises.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY (as one turning from serious thing to little pleasantries). Well, ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?
MRS. PETERS. We think she was going to--knot it.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, that's interesting, I'm sure. (Seeing the birdcage.) Has the bird flown?
MRS. HALE (putting more quilt pieces over the box.) We think the--cat got it.
COUNTY ATTORNEY (preoccupied). Is there a cat? (Mrs. Hale glances in a quick covert way at Mrs. Peters.
) MRS. PETERS. Well, not now. They're superstitious, you know. They leave.
COUNTY ATTORNEY (to Sheriff Peters, continuing an interrupted conversation.) No sign at all of anyone having come from the outside. Their own rope. Now let's go up again and go over it piece by piece. (They start upstairs.) It would have to have been someone who knew just the-- (Mrs. Peters sits down. The two women sit there not looking at one another, but as if peering into something and at the same time holding back. When they talk now, it is the manner of feeling their way over strange ground, as if afraid of what they are saying, but as if they cannot help saying it.) MRS. HALE. She liked the bird. She was going to bury it in that pretty box.
MRS. PETERS. (in a whisper). When I was a girl--my kitten--there was a boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes--and before I could get there--(Covers her face an instant.) If they hadn't held me back, I would have-- (Catches herself, looks upstairs, where steps are heard, falters weakly.)--hurt him.
MRS. HALE (with a slow look around her.) I wonder how it would seem never to have had any children around. (Pause.) No, Wright wouldn't like the bird--a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too.
MRS. PETERS (moving uneasily). We don't know who killed the bird.
MRS. HALE. I knew John Wright.
MRS. PETERS. It was an awful thing was done in this house that night, Mrs. Hale. Killing a man while he slept, slipping a rope around his neck that choked the life out of him.
MRS. HALE. His neck, Choked the life out of him. (Her hand goes out and rests on the birdcage.) MRS. PETERS (with a rising voice). We don't know who killed him. We don't know.
MRS. HALE (her own feeling not interrupted.) If there'd been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to you, it would be awful--still, after the bird was still.
MRS. PETERS (something within her speaking). I know what stillness is. When we homesteaded in Dakota, and my first baby died--after he was two years old, and me with no other then--
MRS. HALE (moving). How soon do you suppose they'll be through, looking for evidence?
MRS. PETERS. I know what stillness is. (Pulling herself back). The law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale. MRS. HALE (not as if answering that). I wish you'd seen MInnie Foster when she wore a white dress with blue ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang. (A look around the room). Oh, I wish I'd come over here once in a while! That was a crime! That was a crime! Who's going to punish that?
MRS. Peters (looking upstairs). We mustn't--take on.
MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be--for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things--it's all just a different kind of the same thing. (Brushes her eyes, noticing the bottle of fruit, reaches out for it.) If I was you, I wouldn't tell her her fruit was gone. Tell her it ain't. Tell her it's all right. Take this in to prove it to her. She--she may never know whether it was broke or not.
MRS. PETERS (takes the bottle, looks about for something to wrap it in; takes petticoat from the clothes brought from the other room, very nervously begins winding this around the bottle. In a false voice). My, it's a good thing the men couldn't hear us. Wouldn't they just laugh! Getting all stirred up over a little thing like a--dead canary. As if that could have anything to do with--with--wouldn't they laugh! (The men are heard coming downstairs.) MRS. HALE (under her breath). Maybe they would--maybe they wouldn't.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. No, Peters, it's all perfectly clear except a reason for doing it. But you know juries when it comes to women. If there was some definite thing. Something to show--something to make a story about--a thing that would connect up with this strange way of doing it. (The women's eyes meet for an instant. Enter Hale from outer door.)
HALE. Well, I've got the team around. Pretty cold out there.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'm going to stay here awhile by myself (To the Sheriff). You can send Frank out for me, can't you? I want to go over everything. I'm not satisfied that we can't do better.
SHERIFF. Do you want to see what Mrs. Peters is going to take in? (The Lawyer goes to the table, picks up the apron, laughs.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. Oh I guess they're not very dangerous things the ladies have picked up. (Moves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. Steps back.) No, Mrs. Peters doesn't need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff's wife is married to the law. Ever think of it that way, Mrs. Peters?
MRS. PETERS. Not--just that way.
SHERIFF (chuckling). Married to the law. (Moves toward the other room.) I just want you to come in here a minute, George. We ought to take a look at these windows.
COUNTY ATTORNEY (scoffingly). Oh, windows!
SHERIFF. We'll be right out, Mr. Hale. (Hale goes outside. The Sheriff follows the County Attorney into the other room. Then Mrs. Hale rises, hands tight together, looking intensely at Mrs. Peters, whose eyes take a slow turn, finally meeting Mrs. Hale's. A moment Mrs. Hale holds her, then her own eyes point the way to where the box is concealed. Suddenly Mrs. Peters throws back quilt pieces and tries to put the box in the bag she is wearing. It is too big. She opens box, starts to take the bird out, cannot touch it, goes to pieces, stands there helpless. Sound of a knob turning in the other room. Mrs. Hale snatches the box and puts it in the pocket of her big coat. Enter County Attorney and Sheriff.)
COUNTY ATTORNEY (facetiously). Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to--what is it you call it, ladies!
MRS. HALE (her hand against her pocket). We call it--knot it, Mr. Henderson.

Hope it made you see the world in a different light now. Cheers