Ariel (with an effort). Dad, will you go away please and leave me alone?
Abner (hesitating a second). Very well.
(Exits with bowed head. Ariel gives a long sigh, goes to C. door and stands looking out for a second, then goes to doll house, opens door and takes out a large doll. She goes to bureau, unlocks a drawer, takes out a small box. Suddenly leans forward on the bureau, her head on the doll.)
Ariel. Oh, Alicia, has it come to this? (Sam. crawls cautiously out from under sofa. He steals toward the hammock and throws a pipe into it, then starts for door. Ariel suddenly turns.) Who is it? Who is there?
(She starts forward. Sam. hastily crawls under sofa again. Ariel walks forward with the little box in her hand.)
Ber. (outside). Ship ahoy! Anybody on deck?
Ariel (going to door). Father isn’t here, Captain Berry. I’m up here alone.
Ber. That so? Can I come up?
Ariel. Why, certainly, if you like. (Ber. enters.) This is my playhouse up here. I have spent the happiest days of my life up here in this old room. I think I have spent the only happy ones I will ever know.
Ber. Nonsense! That’s a pretty way for a young girl like you to be talking, jest when you got all your life before you.