BIMBO
I said error. The common error is to misjudge all who walk not in our own way, and to call them sinners. Then, having called them sinners, we think they sin every sin. That is the common error; and now, as it is the Seventh Day and meet for confession, I humbly confess to be an erring creature, not above this error myself. To make the matter plain to you, take the calling of a play actor. Now, that is a calling abhorrent to me from my earliest training. I look upon it as wholly sinful and wanton and of the way to everlasting fires. Therefore, unless I give heed to second thoughts, I would believe any play actor guilty of all sins—a man that would beat his wife and murder little children, perhaps even upon the Sabbath Day. Yet, if the truth were known, it might be found that just because a man is a play actor he would not of his nature’s necessity and habit do these things. Nevertheless, my first thought would be that he would—because he is a play actor. Fall not into the like misjudgments, mistress. Know that our ship’s company live under rigid law and rule. Else we could not hope to prosper. What think you may be our company’s recreations on this day?
LYDIA (bitterly)
I suppose they will take to gaming and to carousing on my father’s rum.
(The Gunner and the Man with the Braided Beard utter short, grim laughter.)
BIMBO (sternly)
When I took my dram o’ brandy I told you it was for no pleasure I had of it. No man of our company may have his dram o’ Sundays except one, and that for being cold inside him, nor may any perform any labor except to the ship’s pressing need. For recreation—none is permitted except the reading of some religious book.
LYDIA (incredulously)
What!
BIMBO (going on, explaining to her with gloomy patience)
As for gaming, neither dice nor cards shall ever be seen on any ship of mine, I promise you. We permit no gaming any day at all, much less upon the Seventh. So much for that, madam!
LYDIA (bitterly)
I see. Your only recreation is to torture your captives!
BIMBO (shaking his head despondently)
So! (He exchanges a pained, satiric smile with the Gunner.) That’s all they know of us, is it? (He turns again to Lydia.) Young madam, again you speak out of your ignorance. You and your father and the young man here have given us much provocation. Have you heard one word of profanity from us? Have you even heard a threatening expression?
LYDIA (pointing at the Gunner)
He said we should be made to suffer for the badness of our cargo.
BIMBO (severely)
He meant a fine or toll should be levied against your father; but that would mean our holding him here and having his daily association with us on our ship until the fine or ransom could be sent from Jamaica. I would vote against it, because from what we have seen of him I would rather go without the money.
LYDIA
So you strip us of what goods we have——