ROBERT (hoarsely)
Lydia!
(She clings to him.)
BIMBO (standing up angrily)
Stand away from that woman!
LYDIA
Robert——
BIMBO (roaring)
Stand away from her!
(He overawes them, and slowly their arms fall from each other. Staring miserably at him all the while, they resume their seats.)
BIMBO (grunting)
That’s better!
(He returns to his seat and the ledger. The door opens and Lydia and Robert turn apprehensively as another pirate enters. He is dressed much as is the Gunner, but is gaunt and of an extreme and unnatural pallor, his eyes glistening dishearteningly from dark hollows. He carries a pan of smoking hot embers.)
LYDIA (horrified)
Robert!
(Robert half rises.)
BIMBO (fiercely)
Sit where you are! (Robert sinks into his seat. Bimbo explains.) It’s Brimstone and hot coals that I sent for.
LYDIA (appealing to the man with the coals)
Don’t hurt me! Don’t hurt me! Don’t——
BIMBO
He’s deaf and dumb, mistress.
LYDIA (choking)
Oh!
(The Deaf-and-Dumb Man makes an unpleasant vocal sound, looking at Bimbo, who points to the brazier. The man dumps his coals in the brazier and stands beside it. The brazier glows. Lydia and Robert stare at it in anguish. The Deaf-and-Dumb Man looks at Bimbo inquiringly, and the latter waves his hand. The Deaf-and-Dumb Man retires to a position near the door. Lydia, panting, sinks down in her chair.)