NAT--[_More suspiciously._] You’ll have to ask him. Why do you want to know? [_Abruptly._] You better be getting up to the house, Sue--if we’re to have any supper. Danny must be hungry. [_He turns his back on them. They exchange meaning glances._] SUE--[_With a sigh._] It must be getting late. Come on, Danny. You can see Pa later on. [_They go toward the door in the rear._] Aren’t you coming, Nat? NAT--No. I’ll wait. [_Impatiently._] Go ahead. I’ll be up before long. DREW--See you later, then, Nat. NAT--Yes. [_They go out, rear._ NAT _paces up and down in a great state of excitement. The door on the left is opened and_ BARTLETT _enters. His eyes are wild, as if he had been drinking heavily, but he shows no other effects. Father and son stand looking at one another for a second._ NAT _takes a step backward as if in fear, then straightens up defiantly_.] BARTLETT--[_Slowly._] Is this the way ye mind my orders, boy? I’ve told ye time an’ again not to be sneakin’ and spyin’ around this wharf. NAT--I’m not sneaking and spying. I wanted to talk to you, Pa. BARTLETT--[_Sits down by the table._] Well, here I be. NAT--Sue said the schooner sails tomorrow. BARTLETT--Aye! NAT--[_Resolutely._] I want to go with you, Pa. BARTLETT--[_Briefly--as if dismissing the matter._] Ye can’t. I’ve told ye that before. Let this be the last time ye ask it. NAT--But why? Why can’t I go? BARTLETT--Ye’ve your own work to do--good work. Attend to that and leave me to mine. NAT--But you always wanted me to go on voyages to learn whaling with you. BARTLETT--This be different. NAT--[_With excited indignation._] Yes, this is different! Don’t I know it? Do you think you can hide that from me? It is different, and that’s why I want to go. BARTLETT--Ye can’t, I say. NAT--[_Pleadingly._] But why not, Pa? I’m not a boy. I can do a man’s work on a ship, or anywhere else. BARTLETT--[_Roughly._] Let’s have done with talk! Your place is here, with Sue and your Ma, and here you’ll stay. NAT--[_Angrily._] That isn’t any reason. But I know your real one. You’re afraid---- BARTLETT--[_Half rising to his feet._] Ye say that to me? [_Recovering himself with an effort and settling down again._] Keep a clapper on your jaw, boy. That’s talk I’ll not put up with. [_With a touch of uneasiness--forcing a scornful laugh._] Afeerd! Afeerd o’ what? Did ye ever know me to be afeerd? NAT--Afraid of what I know, of what I might find out if I went with you. BARTLETT--[_With the same forced, uneasy scorn._] And what d’ye think ye’d find out, Nat? NAT--First of all that it’s not a trading venture you’re going on. Oh, I’m not a fool! That story is all right to fool the neighbors and girls like Sue. But I know better. BARTLETT--What d’ye know? NAT--You’re going for something else. BARTLETT--What would that be? NAT--I don’t know--exactly. Something--on that island. BARTLETT--What?