Come now, you’re making me weak for nothing—please, dear boy—I do love you and your brother—you’re all I have on earth. Come now! Every night I will pray to the good God to bring you home safely. You must get used to it, then you will become a brave seaman—and—and——[Cries.] Come now, Barend, Barend! [Holds the mirror before him.] Look at your earrings—what?——
1st Policeman.
[Coming in through door at left, good-natured manner.] Skipper Hengst has requested the Police——If you please, my little man, we have no time to lose.
Bar.
[Screaming.] I won’t go! I won’t go! The ship—is rotten——
2nd Policeman.
[Smiling good naturedly.] Then you should not have mustered in. Must we use force? Come now, little man. [Taps him kindly on the shoulder.]
Bar.
Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me! [Clings desperately to the bedstead and door jamb.]
2nd Policeman.