BIMBO (uncomfortably)
Ha’ done with your caterwauling, young female; we must have him. There’s not one of us can pilot those coasts, and ’twould endanger us to let him go.
LYDIA (throwing herself on her knees before him)
Oh, pray don’t separate us!
BIMBO
Don’t beg me! This is a commonwealth, governed by law, and the law would depose me if I jeopardized the common safety by turning loose this pilot. He must sign with us. Let him speak.
(The Deaf-and-Dumb Man releases Robert, who rushes to Lydia and helps her to her feet.)
ROBERT (his arms about her)
Don’t kneel to this ruffian for me, sweetheart.
BIMBO (angrily)
I told you not to call her sweetheart. You do it for pleasure, and our law forbids it on the Seventh Day. Stand away from her! Take your arm from her! You do that for pleasure too.
ROBERT (hotly)
I do it to protect her.
BIMBO
You don’t. It’s for pleasure, and we won’t have it. Stand away from her, I say. (Robert sullenly obeys.) Now we’ll fetch you to the articles of our company, and you’ll sign ’em.
ROBERT
Sign ’em? I’ll die first, ten thousand times!
BIMBO (hotly)
You’ll sign ’em. We’ll hold you and guide your hand. (He takes a large and soiled parchment from the table drawer and places it upon the top of the table.)
LYDIA (wailing)
You’ll make him a pirate? Oh, death were better for us both!