MRS. KEENEY (_vaguely--again passes her hand over her eyes_). My memory is leaving me--up here in the ice. It was so long ago. (_A pause--then she smiles dreamily._) It's June now. The lilacs will be all in bloom in the front yard--and the climbing roses on the trellis to the side of the house--they're budding. (_She suddenly covers her face with her hands and commences to sob._) KEENEY (_disturbed_). Go in and rest, Annie. You're all wore out cryin' over what can't be helped. MRS. KEENEY (_suddenly throwing her arms around his neck and clinging to him_). You love me, don't you, David? KEENEY (_in amazed embarrassment at this outburst_) Love you? Why d'you ask me such a question, Annie? MRS. KEENEY (_shaking him--fiercely_). But you do, don't you, David? Tell me! KEENEY. I'm your husband, Annie, and you're my wife. Could there be aught but love between us after all these years? MRS. KEENEY (_shaking him again--still more fiercely_). Then you do love me. Say it! KEENEY (_simply_). I do, Annie. MRS. KEENEY. (_Gives a sigh of relief--her hands drop to her sides._ KEENEY _regards her anxiously. She passes her hand across her eyes and murmurs half to herself._) I sometimes think if we could only have had a child. (KEENEY _turns away from her, deeply moved. She grabs his arm and turns him around to face her--intensely._) And I've always been a good wife to you, haven't I, David? KEENEY (_his voice betraying his emotion_). No man ever had a better, Annie. MRS. KEENEY. And I've never asked for much from you, have I, David? Have I? KEENEY. You know you could have all I got the power to give ye, Annie. MRS. KEENEY (_wildly_). Then do this, this once, for my sake, for God's sake--take me home! It's killing me, this life--the brutality and cold and horror of it. I'm going mad. I can feel the threat in the air. I can hear the silence threatening me--day after gray day and every day the same. I can't bear it. (_Sobbing._) I'll go mad, I know I will. Take me home, David, if you love me as you say. I'm afraid. For the love of God, take me home! (_She throws her arms around him, weeping against his shoulder. His face betrays the tremendous struggle going on within him. He holds her out at arm's length, his expression softening. For a moment his shoulders sag, he becomes old, his iron spirit weakens as he looks at her tear-stained face._) KEENEY (_dragging out the words with an effort_). I'll do it, Annie--for your sake--if you say it's needful for ye. MRS. KEENEY (_with wild joy--kissing him_). God bless you for that, David! (_He turns away from her silently and walks toward the companionway. Just at that moment there is a clatter of footsteps on the stairs and the_ SECOND MATE _enters the cabin._) MATE (_excitedly_). The ice is breakin' up to no'th'rd, sir. There's a clear passage through the floe, and clear water beyond, the lookout says.