Part One, First Chapter: The Languor of Ofenísia, Sections titled On the Art of Gossiping and Gabriela on the Way Summary

Migrant workers are moving toward the town from the backlands. One of the travelers is Gabriela. Along the way, Gabriela meets another migrant named Clemente, and they become lovers. Clemente dreams of having his own cacao fields, and he promises to marry Gabriela, but Gabriela does not want to be a cacao planter's wife. One night, out of frustration, Clemente shoves Gabriela away in anger, telling her, "You don't really want me. You don't love me." Gabriela does not understand why Clemente is upset. She tells Clemente it does not matter that they will not see each other again. It is clear that...