Drew—[Curtly.] He’s in the house. You can’t speak to him now.
Horne—She’s ready to cast off. I hailed him from below but I ’spect he didn’t hear. [As Drew makes no comment—impatiently.] If he don’t shake a leg, we’ll miss the tide. There’s a bit o’ fair breeze, too.
Drew—[Glancing at him resentfully.] Don’t count on his sailing today. It’s just as likely he’ll change his mind.
Horne—[Angrily.] Change his mind again? After us waitin’ and wastin’ time for weeks! [To Cates in a loud tone so Drew can hear.] What did I tell ye, Cates? He’s crazy as hell.
Drew—[Sharply.] What’s that?
Horne—I was tellin’ Cates the skipper’s not right in his head [Angrily.] What man in his senses’d do the way he does?
Drew—[Letting his resentment escape him.] That’s no lie, damn it!
Horne—[Surprised.] Aye, ye’ve seen it, too, have ye? [After a pause.] Now I axe ye, as a sailor, how’d ye like to be puttin’ out on a vige with a cracked man for skipper? [Sue comes out of the door, stops with a shudder of disgust as she sees the two sailors, and stands listening. They do not notice her presence.]
Drew—It seems to me a crazy voyage all round. What kind of trading is it you’re to do?
Horne—[Suspiciously.] Ye’ll have to ask the skipper that.