MRS. B.--[_Her face clouding--in a tone of deep sorrow._] Yes. [DREW _is surprised and glances at_ SUE _questioningly_. She sighs. MRS. BARTLETT _gets to her feet with difficulty, assisted by_ DREW. _She forces a smile._] I’ve taken on a third leg since you was here, Danny! SUE--We’ll help you back to the house. You can’t climb that steep hill alone. MRS. B.--Shucks! I’m sick o’ the house. I need sun and fresh air, and today’s so nice I couldn’t stay indoors. I’ll take your arm to hold on to, Danny. No, I ain’t goin’ up to the house yet awhile, so don’t you try to bully me into it, Sue. I’m goin’ to set in the shade o’ this shed out on the wharf and watch your Pa workin’ on the schooner. Ain’t much time left to see her, Sue. They’re sailin’ tomorrow at dawn, your Pa says. SUE--Tomorrow? Then--you’re going to christen her? MRS. B.--[_With grim determination._] No, I ain’t, Sue! [_Catching_ DREW’S _glance fixed on her with puzzled curiosity, she immediately attempts to resume her joking tone_.] Shucks! Here’s Danny wonderin’ what silliness we’re talkin’ of. It’s just this, Danny. Captain Bartlett, he’s got a crazy notion in his head that just because his ship was wrecked last vige he’ll give up whalin’ for life. He’s fitted out this little schooner for tradin’ in the Islands. More money in that, he says. But I don’t agree with no such lunatic notions, and I’m just that stubborn I’m not goin’ to set my approval on his craziness by christenin’ his ship with my name, like he wants me to. He’d ought to stick to whalin,’ like he’s done all his life. Don’t you think so, Danny? DREW--[_Embarrassed._] Why, sure--he’s rated one of the smartest whaling skippers here on the coast--and I should think---- MRS. B.--Just what I tell him--only he’s that stubborn. I’d best get out quick while it’s still sunny and warm. It’s damp in here for an old body. [DREW _helps her to the door on the left, opens it, and the two go out, followed by_ SUE, _who carries a chair. After a pause_, SUE _and_ DREW _return_. SUE _carefully shuts the door after them. Her face is troubled._] DREW--[_Looks at her for a minute, then comes and puts his arm around her and kisses her._] What’s the trouble, Sue? SUE--[_Trying to force a smile._] Nothing, Danny. DREW--Oh, yes there is! No use putting me off that way. Why, I’ve felt it hanging about in the air ever since I first looked at your mother. SUE--Yes, she’s failed terribly since you saw her last. DREW--Oh, I don’t mean just sickness--only--did you notice how she had to--force herself--to joke about things? She used to be so cheerful natural. [_Scratching his head in honest puzzlement._] But--that ain’t what I mean, either. What is it, Sue? Maybe I can help somehow. You look worried, too. Pshaw! You can tell me, can’t you? SUE--Why, yes, Danny--of course--if I could tell--only I’m just as puzzled as you over what it comes from.