The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 15Stevenson, Robert Louis
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The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 15
Stevenson, Robert Louis
English literature -- 19th century
KIT. Well, mate, you may be all that, and more; but you're a rum 'un to
look at, anyhow.
PEW. Right you are, and so I am. But what is looks? It's the 'art that
does it: the 'art is the seaman's star; and here's old David Pew's a
matter of fifty years at sea, but tough and sound as the British
Constitootion.
KIT. You're right there, Pew. Shake hands upon it. And you're a man
they're down upon, just like myself, I see. We're a pair of plain,
good-hearted, jolly tars; and all these 'longshore fellows cock a lip at
us, by George. What cheer, mate?
ARETHUSA (_without_). Mrs. Drake! Mrs. Drake!
PEW. What, a female? hey? a female? Board her, board her, mate! I'm
dark. (_He retires again behind, to table, R., behind settle._)
ARETHUSA (_without_). Mrs. Drake!
MRS. DRAKE (_re-entering and running to door_). Here I am, my dear; come
in.
SCENE III
_To these, ARETHUSA_
ARETHUSA. Ah, Kit, I've found you. I thought you would lodge with Mrs.
Drake.
KIT. What? are you looking for your consort? Whistle, I'm your dog; I'll
come to you. I've been toasting you fathom deep, my beauty; and with
every glass I love you dearer.
ARETHUSA. Now, Kit, if you want to please my father, this is not the
way. Perhaps he thinks too much of the guineas: well, gather them--if
you think me worth the price. Go you to your sloop, clinker built,
eighty tons burthen--you see I remember. Skipper Kit! I don't deny I
like a man of spirit; but if you care to please Captain Gaunt, keep out
of taverns; and if you could carry yourself a bit more--more elderly!
KIT. Can I? Would I? Ah, just couldn't and just won't I, then!
MRS. DRAKE. I hope, madam, you don't refer to my house; a publican I may
be, but tavern is a word that I don't hold with; and here there's no bad
drink, and no loose company; and as for my blessedest Kit, I declare I
love him like my own.
ARETHUSA. Why, who could help it, Mrs. Drake?
KIT. Arethusa, you're an angel. Do I want to please Captain Gaunt? Why,
that's as much as ask whether I love you. (I don't deny that his words
cut me; for they did. But as for wanting to please him, if he was deep
as the blue Atlantic, I would beat it out. And elderly, too? Aha, you
witch, you're wise! Elderly? You've set the course; you leave me alone
to steer it. Matrimony's my port, and love is my cargo.) That's a
likely question, ain't it, Mrs. Drake? Do I want to please him! Elderly,
says you? Why, see here: Fill up my glass, and I'll drink to Arethusa on
my knees.
ARETHUSA. Why, you stupid boy, do you think that would please him?
KIT. On my knees I'll drink it! (_As he kneels and drains the glass,
GAUNT enters, and he scrambles to his feet._)
SCENE IV
_To these, GAUNT_
GAUNT. Arethusa, this is no place for you.
ARETHUSA. No, father.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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