Phus (jumping up and putting his whole hand in the book for a mark). O, yes, mis’! dem two gem’man, one wid de black bandanna on he hat, de oder wid de gaiters! De las’ one, he say, “You culled pusson, tel’ me troo, your mis’ she no bos’ dis boat?” I say, “Yaas, saar!” Den de one wid de black bandanna, he say, “But de mate, he de real cap’n; he stan’ at w’eel, steer, an’ tak’ car’ ob injyne, don’ he?”
Mary. What did you tell him?
Phus. I sez, “No! On’y when mis’ restin’, an’ it’s cam (calm), an’ dere ain’t no snags nor be-yous. She bos’, she steer, she watch injyne. Pats, he on’y shovel coal, ’bey orders. On’y he mad sometime, an’ he say he not be bos’ by wimmin. Den de one wid de gaiters, he say, “You nig tell de trute; she raal cap’n? She bos’ ebryting?” I say, “Yas, saar-e! ebryting! She bos’ steamboat. She bos’ Pats. She bos’ Hank and me—Phus—dat’s me W’y! mis’ could bos’ you, bos’ de President ’nited States, be cap’n ob ebrybody.” Den dey bof laf, an’ I help’ ’em obe de gang-plank.
Mary (sitting). Oh, Phus! you tried to prove too much. But you make me laugh, in spite of my troubles.
Phus. I does my bes’, mis’. (Sits down, R., and reads.)
Mr. R. The other owners say, and the newspapers, too, that you have no chance; and we are all so certain of it that we have agreed not to take away the boat if you do get the license.
Mary. Do you think yourselves so certain as that? Very well. But I have faith to believe that you will all wish that you had not made that promise, unless you really want me to have the boat.
Mr. R. Oh, madam! we’ve no notion you’ll get it. The other owners scorn the idea of a woman captain, and so do I. It’s ridiculous! (Walks about.)
Phus (reading to himself). W’ot did Meelissee scramded—no—squeemed for? ’coz she felt a col’ han’ on her fourhed? Golly! wos she ’f’aid o’ dat? (Reads) Oh! she was alone in de dark, in de bed, an’ couldn’t see nobody! I should ’a’ thought she would ’a’ squeemed. (Looks all around in a frightened manner.)
Mr. R. (seating himself near Mary). When did you hear from your husband last?