CHRIS—[Advancing toward the table—protesting to BURKE.] No! You don't do dat, you! You tal him you don't vant for hear him talk, Anna.
ANNA—But I do. I want this cleared up.
CHRIS—[Miserably afraid now.] Vell, not now, anyvay. You vas going ashore, yes? You ain't got time—
ANNA—[Firmly.] Yes, right here and now. [She turns to BURKE.] You tell me, Mat, since he don't want to.
BURKE—[Draws a deep breath—then plunges in boldly.] The whole of it's in a few words only. So's he'd make no mistake, and him hating the sight of me, I told him in his teeth I loved you. [Passionately.] And that's God truth, Anna, and well you know it!
CHRIS—[Scornfully—forcing a laugh.] Ho-ho! He tal same tang to gel every port he go!
ANNA—[Shrinking from her father with repulsion—resentfully.] Shut up, can't you? [Then to BURKE—feelingly.] I know it's true, Mat. I don't mind what he says.
BURKE—[Humbly grateful.] God bless you!
ANNA—And then what?
BURKE—And then—[Hesitatingly.] And then I said—[He looks at her pleadingly.] I said I was sure—I told him I thought you have a bit of love for me, too. [Passionately.] Say you do, Anna! Let you not destroy me entirely, for the love of God! [He grasps both her hands in his two.]