[There are more angry exclamations from the crew. Mrs. Keeney appears in the doorway in rear and looks on with startled eyes. None of the men notice her.]
Joe [with bravado]. Then we're agoin' to mutiny and take the old hooker home ourselves. Ain't we, boys?
[As he turns his head to look at the others, Keeney's fist shoots out to the side of his jaw. Joe goes down in a heap and lies there. Mrs. Keeney gives a shriek and hides her face in her hands. The men pull out their sheath knives and start a rush, but stop when they find themselves confronted by the revolvers of Keeney and the Mate.]
Keeney [his eyes and voice snapping]. Hold still! [The men stand huddled together in a sullen silence. Keeney's voice is full of mockery.] You's found out it ain't safe to mutiny on this ship, ain't you? And now git for'ard where ye belong, and—[He gives Joe's body a contemptuous kick.] drag him with you. And remember, the first man of ye I see shirkin' I'll shoot dead as sure as there's a sea under us, and you can tell the rest the same. Git for'ard now! Quick! [The men leave in cowed silence, carrying Joe with them. Keeney turns to the Mate with a short laugh and puts his revolver back in his pocket.] Best get up on deck, Mr. Slocum, and see to it they don't try none of their skulkin' tricks. We'll have to keep an eye peeled from now on. I know 'em.
Mate. Yes, sir.
[He goes out, right. Keeney hears his wife's hysterical weeping and turns around in surprise—then walks slowly to her side.]
Keeney [putting an arm around her shoulder—with gruff tenderness]. There, there, Annie. Don't be feared. It's all past and gone.
Mrs. Keeney [shrinking away from him]. Oh, I can't bear it! I can't bear it any longer!
Keeney [gently]. Can't bear what, Annie?
Mrs. Keeney [hysterically]. All this horrible brutality, and these brutes of men, and this terrible ship, and this prison cell of a room, and the ice all around, and the silence.