[To Jo.] Here, sit down. [Shoves a chair by the stove.] You stay where you are, Cobus. You have no doubt heard?——

Jo.

[Sobbing.] About Barend? Yes, but Geert! It happens so often that they get off in row boats.

Bos.

I can’t give you that consolation. Not only was there a hatch, but the corpse was in an extreme state of dissolution.

Jo.

[Anxiously.] Yes! Yes! But if it shouldn’t be Barend. Who says it was Barend?

Bos.

Skipper Maatsuiker of the Expectation identified him, and the earrings.

Jo.