BARTLETT--[_Shaking his head._] They be too much between. The only chance for that be my plan--to sail away and come back with--what I be seekin’. Then she’ll give over her stubborn naggin’--if she’s human woman. It’s for her sake as much as my own I’m goin’--for her and you and Nat. [_With a sudden return of his old resolution._] I’ve made up my mind, I tell ye, and in the end ye’ll know I be right. [_A hail in_ HORNE’S _voice comes thinly up from the shore below_. BARTLETT _starts, his eyes gleaming_.] Ye hear? It’s Horne hailin’ me to come. They be ready to cast off. I’ll git aboard. [_He starts for the ladder._] SUE--Pa! After all I’ve said--without one word of good-bye to Ma! [_Hysterically._] Oh, what can I do, what can I say to stop you! She hasn’t spoken but that one call for you. She hardly seems to breathe. If it weren’t for her eyes I’d believe she was dead--but her eyes look for you. She’ll die if you go, Pa! BARTLETT--No! SUE--You might just as well kill her now in cold blood as murder her that way! BARTLETT--[_Shaken--raising his hands as if to put them over his ears to shut out her words--hoarsely._] No! Ye lie! She’ll live till I git back and all’ll be as it was again! DREW--[_Appearing in the doorway, his face working with grief and anger--harshly._] Captain Bartlett! [_Then lowering his voice as he sees Sue._] Mrs. Bartlett is asking to see you, Captain, before you go. SUE--There! Didn’t I tell you, Pa! BARTLETT--[_Struggling with himself--dully._] She’s wantin’ to bound me again, that be all. SUE--[_Seeing him weakening--grasps his hand persuasively._] Pa! Come with me. She won’t hound you. How silly you are! Come! [_Hesitatingly, head bowed, he follows her toward the door._] BARTLETT--[_As he comes to_ DREW _he stops and looks into the young man’s angry, accusing face. He mutters half mockingly._] So ye, too, be agin me, Danny? DREW--[_Unable to restrain his indignation._] What man that’s a real man wouldn’t be against you, sir? SUE--[_Frightenedly._] Danny! Pa! BARTLETT--[_In a sudden rage draws back his fist threateningly._ DREW _stares into his eyes unflinchingly_--BARTLETT _controls himself with an effort and lets his arm fall to his side--scornfully_.] Big words from a boy, Danny. I’ll forget them this time--on account o’ Sue. [_He turns to her._] I’m goin’ in to her to please ye, Sue--but if ye think any words that she kin say’ll change my mind, ye make a mistake--for I be sailin’ out as I planned I would in spite o’ all hell! [_He walks resolutely into the house._ SUE _follows him after exchanging a hopeless glance with_ DANNY.] DREW--[_To himself--with a shudder._] He’s mad, damn him! [_He paces up and down._ HORNE _appears on the ladder from below, followed by_ CATES.] HORNE--[_Coming forward and addressing_ DREW.] Is the skipper about? DREW--[_Curtly._] He’s in the house. You can’t speak to him now.