Nat—[With enthusiasm.] Yes, she’s a daisy! Say, Danny’s taking her pretty far out, isn’t he?
Bartlett—[Anxiously.] He’d ought to come about now if he’s to tack back inside the p’int. [Furiously.] Come about, damn ye! The swab! That’s what comes o’ steamer trainin’. I’d sooner trust Sue to sail her nor him. [Waves his arm and shouts.] Come about!
Nat—[Bitterly.] He seems to be heading straight for the open sea. He’s taking quite a sail, it seems to me.
Bartlett—[As if he couldn’t believe his eyes.] He’s passed the p’int—and now—headin’ her out to sea—so’east by east. By God, that be the course I charted for her! [Sue bursts out sobbing. He wheels on her, his mouth fallen open, his face full of a stupid despair.] They be somethin’ wrong here. What be it, Sue? What be it, Nat? [His voice has begun to quiver with passion.] That schooner—she’s sailin’ without me—— [He suddenly springs at Nat and grabs him by the throat—with hoarse fury, shaking him.] What be it, ye whelp? It’s your doin’—because I wouldn’t let ye go. Answer me!
Sue—[Rushing to them with a scream.] Pa! [She tugs frantically at his hands. Bartlett lets them fall to his side, stepping back from Nat who sinks weakly to the ground, gasping for breath. Bartlett stands looking at him wildly.]
Sue—Nat didn’t know, Pa. It’s all my fault. I had to do it. There was no other way——
Bartlett—[Raging.] What d’ye mean, girl? What is it ye’ve done? Tell me, I say! Tell me or I’ll——
Sue—[Unflinchingly.] You had to be stopped from going someway. You wouldn’t listen to reason. So I asked Danny if he wouldn’t make the trip in your place. He’s just got his captain’s papers—and oh, Pa, you can trust him, you know that! That man Horne said he knows about everything you wanted done, and he promised to tell Danny, and Danny’ll come back——
Bartlett—[Chokingly.] So—that be it—— [Shaking his clenched fist at the sky as if visualizing the fate he feels in all of this.] Curse ye! Curse ye! [He subsides weakly, his strength spent, his hand falls limply at his side.]
Mrs. Bartlett—[Appears in the doorway. Her face is pale with anguish. She gives a cry of joy when she sees her son.] Nat! [Then with a start of horror at her eyes fall on her husband.] Isaiah! [He doesn’t seem to hear.] Then—you ain’t sailed yet?