Sue—[Aroused to angry indignation.] What kind of a man have you become—to think of such things now! Oh, I can’t believe you’re the same man who used to be my father!
Bartlett—Sue!
Sue—To talk cold-bloodedly of sailing away on a long voyage when Ma’s inside—dying for all you seem to know or care! Oh, I hate you when you’re like this! You’re not the father I love! You’ve changed into someone else—hateful and cruel—and I hate him, I hate him! [She breaks down, sobbing hysterically.]
Bartlett—[Who has listened to her with a face suddenly stricken by fear and torturing remorse.] Sue! Ye don’t know what ye be sayin’, do ye?
Sue—I do! You’re not the same to me any more—or to any of us. I’m afraid of you. And when you coldly propose to go away—now—I hate you, yes I do! And I hate those three awful men who make you act this way. I hate the schooner! I wish she and they were at the bottom of the sea!
Bartlett—[Frenziedly—putting his hand over her mouth to stop her words.] Stop, girl! Don’t ye dare—
Sue—[Shrinking away from him—frightenedly.] Pa!
Bartlett—[Bewilderedly, pleading for forgiveness.] Don’t heed that, Sue—I didn’t mean—ye git me so riled—I’d not hurt ye for all the gold in the world. But don’t ye talk wrong o’ things ye can’t know on.
Sue—Oh, Pa, what kind of things must they be—when you’re ashamed to tell them!
Bartlett—I ain’t ashamed. It ain’t that. On’y they be things a girl’s no call to meddle in. They be men’s business and I be man enough to carry ’em out alone. Ye’ll know all they be to know—and your Ma and Nat, too—when I come back from this vige. And the sooner I sail, the quicker I’ll be back to ye. Oh, ye’ll be glad enough then—when ye see with your own eyes! Ye’ll bless me then ’stead o’ turning agin me! [Hesitating for a second—then somberly.] On’y now—till it’s all over and done—ye’d best keep clear o’ it.