(_He hurries out. The_ SECOND MATE _walks slowly over to the_ CAPTAIN.) MATE. I warn't 'specially anxious the man at the wheel should catch what I wanted to say to you, sir. That's why I asked you to come below. KEENEY (_impatiently_). Speak your say, Mr. Slocum. MATE (_unconsciously lowering his voice_). I'm afeard there'll be trouble with the hands by the look o' things. They'll likely turn ugly, every blessed one o' them, if you don't put back. The two years they signed up for is up to-day. KEENEY. And d'you think you're tellin' me somethin' new, Mr. Slocum? I've felt it in the air this long time past. D'you think I've not seen their ugly looks and the grudgin' way they worked? (_The door in rear is opened and_ MRS. KEENEY _stands in the doorway. She is a slight, sweet-faced little woman primly dressed in black. Her eyes are red from weeping and her face drawn and pale. She takes in the cabin with a frightened glance and stands as if fixed to the spot by some nameless dread, clasping and unclasping her hands nervously. The two men turn and look at her._) KEENEY (_with rough tenderness_). Well, Annie? MRS. KEENEY (_as if awakening from a dream_). David, I--(_She is silent. The_ MATE _starts for the doorway._) KEENEY (_turning to him--sharply_). Wait! MATE. Yes, sir. KEENEY. D'you want anything, Annie? MRS. KEENEY (_after a pause, during which she seems to be endeavoring to collect her thoughts_). I thought maybe--I'd go up on deck, David, to get a breath of fresh air. (_She stand's humbly awaiting his permission. He and the_ MATE _exchange a significant glance._) KEENEY. It's too cold, Annie. You'd best stay below to-day. There's nothing to look at on deck--but ice. MRS. KEENEY (_monotonously_). I know--ice, ice, ice! But there's nothing to see down here but these walls. (_She makes a gesture of loathing._) KEENEY. You can play the organ, Annie. MRS. KEENEY (_dully_). I hate the organ. It puts me in mind of home. KEENEY (_a touch of resentment in his voice_). I got it jest for you. MRS. KEENEY (_dully_). I know. (_She turns away from them and walks slowly to the bench on left. She lifts up one of the curtains and looks through a porthole; then utters an exclamation of joy._) Ah, water! Clear water! As far as I can see! How good it looks after all these months of ice! (_She turns round to them, her face transfigured with joy._) Ah, now I must go upon deck and look at it, David. KEENEY (_frowning_). Best not to-day, Annie. Best wait for a day when the sun shines. MRS. KEENEY (_desperately_). But the sun never shines in this terrible place. KEENEY (_a tone of command in his voice_). Best not to-day, Annie. MRS. KEENEY (_crumbling before this command--abjectly_). Very well, David. (_She stands there staring straight before her as if in a daze. The two men look at her uneasily._) KEENEY (_sharply_). Annie! MRS. KEENEY (_dully_). Yes, David. KEENEY. Me and Mr. Slocum has business to talk about--ship's business.