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Dr. Miquis: [the doctor cheerfully enters Tristana's room; Saturna and Don Lope are standing by] How is my favorite patient?
Saturna: Worse than ever, doctor.
Dr. Miquis: Leave me alone with her.
[Saturna and Don Lope leave the room]
Dr. Miquis: How are your spirits, Tristana?
Tristana: I had a temperature last night. I'm very ill, aren't I? Tell me the truth.
Dr. Miquis: [confidently] I've told you before that this is a common case. It's painful, but that will soon pass.
Tristana: A few days ago, I wanted to live. Now I'd rather die.
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Don Lope: [Saturna and Don Lope are downstairs, awaiting word from the doctor] She's in a very bad way.
Saturna: If you'd let me put on a poultice, she'd be feeling better.
Don Lope: Don't talk rubbish!
Dr. Miquis: [the doctor comes down from Tristana's room] My dear Don Lope, we are faced with what I feared. Tristana is very ill. We have to speak clearly.
Don Lope: Go ahead and tell me.
Dr. Miquis: She is suffering from blood poisoning. We have to operate... to amputate her leg.
Don Lope: The poor girl... She'll be horribly mutilated... When?
Dr. Miquis: We can't wait another day.
Don Lope: What science is this when the only cure is amputation! Find some other way... Cut off both my legs if you want!
Fernando Rey
Extended Reading
