DREW--[_Trying to be consoling._] Pshaw, Sue! I think you just get to imagining things. [_As he finishes speaking, the door in the rear opens and_ NAT _appears. He is a tall, loose-framed boy of eighteen, who bears a striking resemblance to his father. His face, like his father’s, is large and bony, with deep-set black eyes, an aquiline nose, and a wide, thin-lipped mouth. There is no suggestion in_ NAT, _however, of the older man’s physical health and great strength. He appears an indoor product, undeveloped in muscle, with a sallow complexion and stooped shoulders. His thick hair is a deep black. His voice recalls his father’s, hollow and penetrating. He is dressed in a grey flannel shirt and corduroy trousers._ DREW _calls out to him, heartly_.] Hello, Nat! Speak of the Devil! Sue and I were just talking about you. [_He goes toward_ NAT, _his hand outstretched_.] NAT--[_Comes toward them, meets_ DREW, _and shakes his hand with evident pleasure_.] Hello, Danny! You’re a sight for sore eyes! [_His manner undergoes a sudden change. He casts a quick, suspicious glance from_ DREW _to his sister_.] You were talking about me? What about? SUE--[_Quickly--with a warning glance at_ DREW.] About your work down at the shipyard. NAT--[_Disgustedly._] Oh, that. [_In a tone of reasonless irritation._] For God’s sake, Sue, let me alone about my work. Don’t I have to live with the damn thing all day, without your shoving it in my face the minute I get home? I want to forget it--get away! DREW--Go to sea, eh? NAT--[_Suspiciously._] Maybe. Why? What do you mean? DREW--[_Warned by a glance from Sue, says carelessly._] Well, that’s where you’d be apt to go, isn’t it? NAT--[_Suspiciously._] That isn’t what you were thinking, Danny. [_Turning to his sister--angrily._] What have you been telling Danny? SUE--I was talking about the schooner--telling him that she sails tomorrow. NAT--[_Dumfounded._] Tomorrow? [_Overcome by sudden, nervous excitement._] It can’t be. How do you know? Who told you? SUE--Ma. Pa told her. NAT--Then she’s been talking to him--telling him not to take me, I’ll bet. [_Angrily._] Oh, I wish Ma’d mind her own business! SUE--Nat! NAT--Well, Sue, how would you like it? I’m not a little boy any more. I know what I want to do. I want to go with them. I want to go more than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my life before. He--he doesn’t want me. He’s afraid I--But I think I can force him to---- [_He glances at_ DREW’S _amazed face and stops abruptly--sullenly_.] Where is Pa? SUE--He’s aboard the schooner. NAT--[_Disappointedly._] Then it’s no good trying to see him now. I’ll have to wait. DREW--Sound’s funny to hear you talking about going to sea. Why, you always used---- NAT--[_Wearily._] I know. This is different. DREW--You want to see the Islands, I suppose? NAT--[_Suspiciously._] Maybe. Why not? DREW--What group is your Pa heading for first?