And his strong box——
Bos.
[Hotly.] And his cares, you haven’t the wits to understand! Who feeds you all?
Geert.
[Forced calmness.] Who hauls the fish out of the sea? Who risks his life every hour of the day? Who doesn’t take off his clothes in five or six weeks? Who walks with hands covered with salt sores,—without water to wash face or hands? Who sleep like beasts two in a bunk? Who leave wives and mothers behind to beg alms? Twelve head of us are presently going to sea—we get twenty-five per cent of the catch, you seventy-five. We do the work, you sit safely at home. Your ship is insured, and we—we can go to the bottom in case of accident—we are not worth insuring——
Kneir.
[Soothing.] Geert! Geert! Geert!
Bos.
That’s an entertaining lad! You should be a clown in a circus! Twenty-seven per cent isn’t enough for him——
Geert.