BIMBO (crossly to Lydia)
Why, if we did you harm, don’t you know it would only set people against us when they come to hear of it? Why don’t you use your mind a little?
LYDIA (vaguely and feebly)
My mind?
BIMBO
Don’t you know that men in our way of business have got to keep the public confidence? We have to depend on trading off our goods, don’t we? Do you suppose if we lost the confidence of the coast folk we could hope to prosper? (Shaking his head to the Gunner.) I declare, it’s sickening, the little that people of one walk in life know of those in another walk in life!
THE GUNNER
Yes, ’tis. Sickening! (Here he addresses Driscoll, in a tone of annoyance as Driscoll has begun to renew his struggle with him.) Stand quiet, you! What’s the matter now?
(Driscoll replies with fury; but as his mouth is still obstructed by the Gunner’s powerful swarthy and soiled hand, proper enunciation is impossible and no more than indignant but formless sounds are heard.)
BIMBO (sharply)
Let him be understood.
(The Gunner removes his hand.)
DRISCOLL (instantly breaking out in great fury)
The British Crown itself shall hear of this! He’s been working with tar, and claps his vile hand under my nose! The smell of tar always makes me sick. Wretch!
THE GUNNER
Stop your abuse o’ my hand!
DRISCOLL
You lay that dirty hand to my face again, and, blast your vitals, I’ll——
BIMBO (vehemently)
Shame! Close him up again! (The Gunner again puts his hand over Driscoll’s mouth and holds it there, despite the prisoner’s struggles. Bimbo approaches them and addresses Driscoll severely.) Don’t you know what day it is? Shame on you!
LYDIA (amazed and confused)
What it is? What day——