Merrick:
And what will make us water-rats or otters,
To keep our breath still living through a dive
That lasts until the earth's burnt out? Or how
Would that trick serve, when we stand up to gasp,
And find the star waiting for our plunged heads
To knock them into pummy?
Vine:
Scarce more dazed
I'ld be with that than now. I shall be bound,
When I'm to give my wife the tale of it all,
To be devising: more of this to-do
My mind won't carry.
Huff:
O ashamed I am,
Ashamed! — It needn't have been downright feats,
Such as the braving men, the like of Shale,
Do easily, and smile, keeping them up.
If I could look back to one manful hour
Of romping in the face of all my goodness! —
SHALE comes in, dragging Mrs HUFF by the hand.
Shale:
Huff! Where's Huff? — Huff, you must take her back!
You'll take her back? She's yours: I give her up.
Merrick: