"ANNA CHRISTIE"

A Play in Four Acts

By

EUGENE O'NEILL

CHARACTERS

 "JOHNNY-THE-PRIEST" TWO LONGSHOREMEN A POSTMAN LARRY, bartender CHRIS. CHRISTOPHERSON, captain of the barge "Simeon Winthrop" MARTHY OWEN ANNA CHRISTOPHERSON, Chris's daughter THREE MEN OF A STEAMER'S CREW MAT BURKE, a stoker JOHNSON, deckhand on the barge

SCENES

ACT I

"Johnny-the-Priest's" saloon near the waterfront. New York City. 

ACT II

The barge, Simeon Winthrop, at anchor in the harbor of Provincetown, Mass. Ten days later. 

ACT III

Cabin of the barge, at dock in Boston. A week later. 

ACT IV

The same. Two days later. 

Time of the Play--About 1910. 

ACT I

SCENE--"Johnny-The-Priest's" saloon near South Street, New York City. The stage is divided into two sections, showing a small back room onthe right. On the left, forward, of the barroom, a large window lookingout on the street. Beyond it, the main entrance--a double swingingdoor. Farther back, another window. The bar runs from left to rightnearly the whole length of the rear wall. In back of the bar, a smallshowcase displaying a few bottles of case goods, for which there isevidently little call. The remainder of the rear space in front of thelarge mirrors is occupied by half-barrels of cheap whiskey of the"nickel-a-shot" variety, from which the liquor is drawn by means ofspigots. On the right is an open doorway leading to the back room. Inthe back room are four round wooden tables with five chairs groupedabout each. In the rear, a family entrance opening on a side street. 

It is late afternoon of a day in fall. 

As the curtain rises, Johnny is discovered. "Johnny-The-Priest"deserves his nickname. With his pale, thin, clean-shaven face, mildblue eyes and white hair, a cassock would seem more suited to him thanthe apron he wears. Neither his voice nor his general manner dispelthis illusion which has made him a personage of the water front. Theyare soft and bland. But beneath all his mildness one senses the manbehind the mask--cynical, callous, hard as nails. He is lounging atease behind the bar, a pair of spectacles on his nose, reading anevening paper. 

Two longshoremen enter from the street, wearing their working aprons, the button of the union pinned conspicuously on the caps pulledsideways on their heads at an aggressive angle. 

FIRST LONGSHOREMAN--[As they range themselves at the bar. ] Gimme ashock. Number Two. [He tosses a coin on the bar. ]

SECOND LONGSHOREMAN--Same here. [Johnny sets two glasses of barrelwhiskey before them. ]

FIRST LONGSHOREMAN--Here's luck! [The other nods. They gulp down theirwhiskey. ]

SECOND LONGSHOREMAN--[Putting money on the bar. ] Give us another. 

FIRST LONGSHOREMAN--Gimme a scoop this time--lager and porter. I'm dry. 

SECOND LONGSHOREMAN--Same here. [Johnny draws the lager and porter andsets the big, foaming schooners before them. They drink down half thecontents and start to talk together hurriedly in low tones. The door onthe left is swung open and Larry enters. He is a boyish, red-cheeked, rather good-looking young fellow of twenty or so. ]

LARRY--[Nodding to Johnny--cheerily. ] Hello, boss. 

JOHNNY--Hello, Larry. [With a glance at his watch. ] Just on time. [LARRY goes to the right behind the bar, takes off his coat, and putson an apron. ]

FIRST LONGSHOREMAN--[Abruptly. ] Let's drink up and get back to it. [They finish their drinks and go out left. The POSTMAN enters as theyleave. He exchanges nods with JOHNNY and throws a letter on the bar. ]

THE POSTMAN--Addressed care of you, Johnny. Know him?

JOHNNY--[Picks up the letter, adjusting his spectacles. LARRY comes andpeers over his shoulders. JOHNNY reads very slowly. ] ChristopherChristopherson. 

THE POSTMAN--[Helpfully. ] Square-head name. 

LARRY--Old Chris--that's who. 

JOHNNY--Oh, sure. I was forgetting Chris carried a hell of a name likethat. Letters come here for him sometimes before, I remember now. Longtime ago, though. 

THE POSTMAN--It'll get him all right then?

JOHNNY--Sure thing. He comes here whenever he's in port. 

THE POSTMAN--[Turning to go. ] Sailor, eh?

JOHNNY--[With a grin. ] Captain of a coal barge. 

THE POSTMAN--[Laughing. ] Some job! Well, s'long. 

JOHNNY--S'long. I'll see he gets it. [The POSTMAN goes out. JOHNNYscrutinizes the letter. ] You got good eyes, Larry. Where's it from?

LARRY--[After a glance. ] St. Paul. That'll be in Minnesota, I'mthinkin'. Looks like a woman's writing, too, the old divil!JOHNNY--He's got a daughter somewheres out West, I think he told meonce. [He puts the letter on the cash register. ] Come to think of it, Iain't seen old Chris in a dog's age. [Putting his overcoat on, he comesaround the end of the bar. ] Guess I'll be gettin' home. See youto-morrow. 

LARRY--Good-night to ye, boss. [As JOHNNY goes toward the street door, it is pushed open and CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHERSON enters. He is a short, squat, broad-shouldered man of about fifty, with a round, weather-beaten, red face from which his light blue eyes peershort-sightedly, twinkling with a simple good humor. His large mouth, overhung by a thick, drooping, yellow mustache, is childishlyself-willed and weak, of an obstinate kindliness. A thick neck isjammed like a post into the heavy trunk of his body. His arms withtheir big, hairy, freckled hands, and his stumpy legs terminating inlarge flat feet, are awkwardly short and muscular. He walks with aclumsy, rolling gait. His voice, when not raised in a hollow boom, istoned down to a sly, confidential half-whisper with something vaguelyplaintive in its quality. He is dressed in a wrinkled, ill-fitting darksuit of shore clothes, and wears a faded cap of gray cloth over his mopof grizzled, blond hair. Just now his face beams with a too-blissfulhappiness, and he has evidently been drinking. He reaches his hand outto JOHNNY. ]

CHRIS--Hello, Yohnny! Have drink on me. Come on, Larry. Give us drink. Have one yourself. [Putting his hand in his pocket. ] Ay gatmoney--plenty money. 

JOHNNY--[Shakes CHRIS by the hand. ] Speak of the devil. We was justtalkin' about you. 

LARRY--[Coming to the end of the bar. ] Hello, Chris. Put it there. [They shake hands. ]

CHRIS--[Beaming. ] Give us drink. 

JOHNNY--[With a grin. ] You got a half-snootful now. Where'd you get it?

CHRIS--[Grinning. ] Oder fallar on oder barge--Irish fallar--he gatbottle vhiskey and we drank it, yust us two. Dot vhiskey gat kick, byyingo! Ay yust come ashore. Give us drink, Larry. Ay vas little drunk, not much. Yust feel good. [He laughs and commences to sing in a nasal, high-pitched quaver. ]

 "My Yosephine, come board de ship. Long time Ay vait for you. De moon, she shi-i-i-ine. She looka yust like you. Tchee-tchee, tchee-tchee, tchee-tchee, tchee-tchee. "

[To the accompaniment of this last he waves his hand as if he wereconducting an orchestra. ]

JOHNNY--[With a laugh. ] Same old Yosie, eh, Chris?

CHRIS--You don't know good song when you hear him. Italian fallar onoder barge, he learn me dat. Give us drink. [He throws change on thebar. ]

LARRY--[With a professional air. ] What's your pleasure, gentlemen?

JOHNNY--Small beer, Larry. 

CHRIS--Vhiskey--Number Two. 

LARRY--[As he gets their drinks. ] I'll take a cigar on you. 

CHRIS--[Lifting his glass. ] Skoal! [He drinks. ]

JOHNNY--Drink hearty. 

CHRIS--[Immediately. ] Have oder drink. 

JOHNNY--No. Some other time. Got to go home now. So you've just landed?Where are you in from this time?

CHRIS--Norfolk. Ve make slow voyage--dirty vedder--yust fog, fog, fog, all bloody time! [There is an insistent ring from the doorbell at thefamily entrance in the back room. Chris gives a start--hurriedly. ] Aygo open, Larry. Ay forgat. It vas Marthy. She come with me. [He goesinto the back room. ]

LARRY--[With a chuckle. ] He's still got that same cow livin' with him, the old fool!

JOHNNY--[With a grin. ] A sport, Chris is. Well, I'll beat it home. S'long. [He goes to the street door. ]

LARRY--So long, boss. 

JOHNNY--Oh--don't forget to give him his letter. 

LARRY--I won't. [JOHNNY goes out. In the meantime, CHRIS has opened thefamily entrance door, admitting MARTHY. She might be forty or fifty. Her jowly, mottled face, with its thick red nose, is streaked withinterlacing purple veins. Her thick, gray hair is piled anyhow in agreasy mop on top of her round head. Her figure is flabby and fat; herbreath comes in wheezy gasps; she speaks in a loud, mannish voice, punctuated by explosions of hoarse laughter. But there still twinklesin her blood-shot blue eyes a youthful lust for life which hard usagehas failed to stifle, a sense of humor mocking, but good-tempered. Shewears a man's cap, double-breasted man's jacket, and a grimy, calicoskirt. Her bare feet are encased in a man's brogans several sizes toolarge for her, which gives her a shuffling, wobbly gait. ]

MARTHY--[Grumblingly. ] What yuh tryin' to do, Dutchy--keep me standin'out there all day? [She comes forward and sits at the table in theright corner, front. ]

CHRIS--[Mollifyingly. ] Ay'm sorry, Marthy. Ay talk to Yohnny. Ayforgat. What you goin' take for drink?

MARTHY--[Appeased. ] Gimme a scoop of lager an' ale. 

CHRIS--Ay go bring him back. [He returns to the bar. ] Lager and ale forMarthy, Larry. Vhiskey for me. [He throws change on the bar. ]

LARRY--Right you are. [Then remembering, he takes the letter from inback of the bar. ] Here's a letter for you--from St. Paul, Minnesota--and a lady's writin'. [He grins. ]

CHRIS--[Quickly--taking it. ] Oh, den it come from my daughter, Anna. She live dere. [He turns the letter over in his hands uncertainly. ] Aydon't gat letter from Anna--must be a year. 

LARRY--[Jokingly. ] That's a fine fairy tale to be tellin'--yourdaughter! Sure I'll bet it's some bum. 

CHRIS--[Soberly. ] No. Dis come from Anna. [Engrossed by the letter inhis hand--uncertainly. ] By golly, Ay tank Ay'm too drunk for read disletter from Anna. Ay tank Ay sat down for a minute. You bring drinks inback room, Larry. [He goes into the room on right. ]

MARTHY--[Angrily. ] Where's my lager an' ale, yuh big stiff?

CHRIS--[Preoccupied. ] Larry bring him. [He sits down opposite her. LARRY brings in the drinks and sets them on the table. He and MARTHYexchange nods of recognition. LARRY stands looking at CHRIS curiously. MARTHY takes a long draught of her schooner and heaves a huge sigh ofsatisfaction, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. CHRIS staresat the letter for a moment--slowly opens it, and, squinting his eyes, commences to read laboriously, his lips moving as he spells out thewords. As he reads his face lights up with an expression of mingled joyand bewilderment. ]

LARRY--Good news?

MARTHY--[Her curiosity also aroused. ] What's that yuh got--a letter, fur Gawd's sake?

CHRIS--[Pauses for a moment, after finishing the letter, as if to letthe news sink in--then suddenly pounds his fist on the table with happyexcitement. ] Py yiminy! Yust tank, Anna say she's comin' here rightavay! She gat sick on yob in St. Paul, she say. It's short letter, don't tal me much more'n dat. [Beaming. ] Py golly, dat's good news allat one time for ole fallar! [Then turning to MARTHY, rathershamefacedly. ] You know, Marthy, Ay've tole you Ay don't see my Annasince she vas little gel in Sveden five year ole. 

MARTHY--How old'll she be now?

CHRIS--She must be--lat me see--she must be twenty year ole, py Yo!

LARRY--[Surprised. ] You've not seen her in fifteen years?

CHRIS--[Suddenly growing somber--in a low tone. ] No. Ven she vas littlegel, Ay vas bo'sun on vindjammer. Ay never gat home only few time demyear. Ay'm fool sailor fallar. My voman--Anna's mother--she gat tiredvait all time Sveden for me ven Ay don't never come. She come discountry, bring Anna, dey go out Minnesota, live with her cousins onfarm. Den ven her mo'der die ven Ay vas on voyage, Ay tank it's betterdem cousins keep Anna. Ay tank it's better Anna live on farm, den shedon't know dat ole davil, sea, she don't know fader like me. 

LARRY--[With a wink at MARTHY. ] This girl, now, 'll be marryin' asailor herself, likely. It's in the blood. 

CHRIS--[Suddenly springing to his feet and smashing his fist on thetable in a rage. ] No, py God! She don't do dat!

MARTHY--[Grasping her schooner hastily--angrily. ] Hey, look out, yuhnut! Wanta spill my suds for me?

LARRY--[Amazed. ] Oho, what's up with you? Ain't you a sailor yourselfnow, and always been?

CHRIS--[Slowly. ] Dat's yust vhy Ay say it. [Forcing a smile. ] Sailorvas all right fallar, but not for marry gel. No. Ay know dat. Anna'smo'der, she know it, too. 

LARRY--[As CHRIS remains sunk in gloomy reflection. ] When is yourdaughter comin'? Soon?

CHRIS--[Roused. ] Py yiminy, Ay forgat. [Reads through the letterhurriedly. ] She say she come right avay, dat's all. 

LARRY--She'll maybe be comin' here to look for you, I s'pose. [Hereturns to the bar, whistling. Left alone with MARTHY, who stares athim with a twinkle of malicious humor in her eyes, CHRIS suddenlybecomes desperately ill-at-ease. He fidgets, then gets up hurriedly. ]

CHRIS--Ay gat speak with Larry. Ay be right back. [Mollifyingly. ] Aybring you oder drink. 

MARTHY--[Emptying her glass. ] Sure. That's me. [As he retreats with theglass she guffaws after him derisively. ]

CHRIS--[To LARRY in an alarmed whisper. ] Py yingo, Ay gat gat Marthyshore off barge before Anna come! Anna raise hell if she find dat out. Marthy raise hell, too, for go, py golly!

LARRY--[With a chuckle. ] Serve ye right, ye old divil--havin' a womanat your age!

CHRIS--[Scratching his head in a quandary. ] You tal me lie for talMarthy, Larry, so's she gat off barge quick. 

LARRY--She knows your daughter's comin'. Tell her to get the hell outof it. 

CHRIS--No. Ay don't like make her feel bad. 

LARRY--You're an old mush! Keep your girl away from the barge, then. She'll likely want to stay ashore anyway. [Curiously. ] What does shework at, your Anna?

CHRIS--She stay on dem cousins' farm 'till two year ago. Dan she gatyob nurse gel in St. Paul. [Then shaking his head resolutely. ] But Aydon't vant for her gat yob now. Ay vant for her stay with me. 

LARRY--[Scornfully. ] On a coal barge! She'll not like that, I'mthinkin'. 

MARTHY--[Shouts from next room. ] Don't I get that bucket o' suds, Dutchy?

CHRIS--[Startled--in apprehensive confusion. ] Yes, Ay come, Marthy. 

LARRY--[Drawing the lager and ale, hands it to CHRIS--laughing. ] Nowyou're in for it! You'd better tell her straight to get out!

CHRIS--[Shaking in his boots. ] Py golly. [He takes her drink in toMARTHY and sits down at the table. She sips it in silence. LARRY movesquietly close to the partition to listen, grinning with expectation. CHRIS seems on the verge of speaking, hesitates, gulps down his whiskeydesperately as if seeking for courage. He attempts to whistle a fewbars of "Yosephine" with careless bravado, but the whistle peters outfutilely. MARTHY stares at him keenly, taking in his embarrassment witha malicious twinkle of amusement in her eye. CHRIS clears his throat. ]Marthy--

MARTHY--[Aggressively. ] Wha's that? [Then, pretending to fly into arage, her eyes enjoying CHRIS' misery. ] I'm wise to what's in back ofyour nut, Dutchy. Yuh want to git rid o' me, huh?--now she's comin'. Gimme the bum's rush ashore, huh? Lemme tell yuh, Dutchy, there ain't asquare-head workin' on a boat man enough to git away with that. Don'tstart nothin' yuh can't finish!

CHRIS--[Miserably. ] Ay don't start nutting, Marthy. 

MARTHY--[Glares at him for a second--then cannot control a burst oflaughter. ] Ho-ho! Yuh're a scream, Square-head--an honest-ter-Gawdknockout! Ho-ho! [She wheezes, panting for breath. ]

CHRIS--[With childish pique. ] Ay don't see nutting for laugh at. 

MARTHY--Take a slant in the mirror and yuh'll see. Ho-ho! [Recoveringfrom her mirth--chuckling, scornfully. ] A square-head tryin' to kidMarthy Owen at this late day!--after me campin' with barge men the lasttwenty years. I'm wise to the game, up, down, and sideways. I ain'tbeen born and dragged up on the water front for nothin'. Think I'd maketrouble, huh? Not me! I'll pack up me duds an' beat it. I'm quittin'yuh, get me? I'm tellin' yuh I'm sick of stickin' with yuh, and I'mleavin' yuh flat, see? There's plenty of other guys on other bargeswaitin' for me. Always was, I always found. [She claps the astonishedCHRIS on the back. ] So cheer up, Dutchy! I'll be offen the barge beforeshe comes. You'll be rid o' me for good--and me o' you--good riddancefor both of us. Ho-ho!

CHRIS--[Seriously. ] Ay don' tank dat. You vas good gel, Marthy. 

MARTHY--[Grinning. ] Good girl? Aw, can the bull! Well, yuh treated mesquare, yuhself. So it's fifty-fifty. Nobody's sore at nobody. We'restill good frien's, huh? [LARRY returns to bar. ]

CHRIS--[Beaming now that he sees his troubles disappearing. ] Yes, pygolly. 

MARTHY--That's the talkin'! In all my time I tried never to split witha guy with no hard feelin's. But what was yuh so scared about--that I'dkick up a row? That ain't Marthy's way. [Scornfully. ] Think I'd breakmy heart to lose yuh? Commit suicide, huh? Ho-ho! Gawd! The world'sfull o' men if that's all I'd worry about! [Then with a grin, afteremptying her glass. ] Blow me to another scoop, huh? I'll drink yourkid's health for yuh. 

CHRIS--[Eagerly. ] Sure tang. Ay go gat him. [He takes the two glassesinto the bar. ] Oder drink. Same for both. 

LARRY--[Getting the drinks and putting them on the bar. ] She's not sucha bad lot, that one. 

CHRIS--[Jovially. ] She's good gel, Ay tal you! Py golly, Ay calabratenow! Give me vhiskey here at bar, too. [He puts down money. LARRYserves him. ] You have drink, Larry. 

LARRY--[Virtuously. ] You know I never touch it. 

CHRIS--You don't know what you miss. Skoal! [He drinks--then begins tosing loudly. ]

 "My Yosephine, come board de ship--"

[He picks up the drinks for MARTHY and himself and walks unsteadilyinto the back room, singing. ]

 "De moon, she shi-i-i-ine. She looks yust like you. Tche-tchee, tchee-tchee, tchee-tchee, tchee-tchee. "

MARTHY--[Grinning, hands to ears. ] Gawd!

CHRIS--[Sitting down. ] Ay'm good singer, yes? Ve drink, eh? Skoal! Aycalabrate! [He drinks. ] Ay calabrate 'cause Anna's coming home. Youknow, Marthy, Ay never write for her to come, 'cause Ay tank Ay'm nogood for her. But all time Ay hope like hell some day she vant for seeme and den she come. And dat's vay it happen now, py yiminy! [His facebeaming. ] What you tank she look like, Marthy? Ay bet you she's fine, good, strong gel, pooty like hell! Living on farm made her like dat. And Ay bet you some day she marry good, steady land fallar here inEast, have home all her own, have kits--and dan Ay'm ole grandfader, pygolly! And Ay go visit dem every time Ay gat in port near! [Burstingwith joy. ] By yiminy crickens, Ay calabrate dat! [Shouts. ] Bring oderdrink, Larry! [He smashes his fist on the table with a bang. ]

LARRY--[Coming in from bar--irritably. ] Easy there! Don't be breakin'the table, you old goat!

CHRIS--[By way of reply, grins foolishly and begins to sing. ] "MyYosephine comes board de ship--"

MARTHY--[Touching CHRIS' arm persuasively. ] You're soused to the ears, Dutchy. Go out and put a feed into you. It'll sober you up. [Then asCHRIS shakes his head obstinately. ] Listen, yuh old nut! Yuh don't knowwhat time your kid's liable to show up. Yuh want to be sober when shecomes, don't yuh?

CHRIS--[Aroused--gets unsteadily to his feet. ] Py golly, yes. 

LARRY--That's good sense for you. A good beef stew'll fix you. Go roundthe corner. 

CHRIS--All right. Ay be back soon, Marthy. [CHRIS goes through the barand out the street door. ]

LARRY--He'll come round all right with some grub in him. 

MARTHY--Sure. [LARRY goes back to the bar and resumes his newspaper. MARTHY sips what is left of her schooner reflectively. There is thering of the family entrance bell. LARRY comes to the door and opens ita trifle--then, with a puzzled expression, pulls it wide. ANNACHRISTOPHERSON enters. She is a tall, blond, fully-developed girl oftwenty, handsome after a large, Viking-daughter fashion but now rundown in health and plainly showing all the outward evidences ofbelonging to the world's oldest profession. Her youthful face isalready hard and cynical beneath its layer of make-up. Her clothes arethe tawdry finery of peasant stock turned prostitute. She comes andsinks wearily in a chair by the table, left front. ]

ANNA--Gimme a whiskey--ginger ale on the side. [Then, as LARRY turns togo, forcing a winning smile at him. ] And don't be stingy, baby. 

LARRY--[Sarcastically. ] Shall I serve it in a pail?

ANNA--[With a hard laugh. ] That suits me down to the ground. [LARRYgoes into the bar. The two women size each other up with frank stares. LARRY comes back with the drink which he sets before ANNA and returnsto the bar again. ANNA downs her drink at a gulp. Then, after a moment, as the alcohol begins to rouse her, she turns to MARTHY with a friendlysmile. ] Gee, I needed that bad, all right, all right!

MARTHY--[Nodding her head sympathetically. ] Sure--yuh look all in. Beenon a bat?

ANNA--No--travelling--day and a half on the train. Had to sit up allnight in the dirty coach, too. Gawd, I thought I'd never get here!

MARTHY--[With a start--looking at her intently. ] Where'd yuh come from, huh?

ANNA--St. Paul--out in Minnesota. 

MARTHY--[Staring at her in amazement--slowly. ] So--yuh're--[Shesuddenly bursts out into hoarse, ironical laughter. ] Gawd!

ANNA--All the way from Minnesota, sure. [Flaring up. ] What you laughingat? Me?

MARTHY--[Hastily. ] No, honest, kid. I was thinkin' of somethin' else. 

ANNA--[Mollified--with a smile. ] Well, I wouldn't blame you, at that. Guess I do look rotten--yust out of the hospital two weeks. I'm goingto have another 'ski. What d'you say? Have something on me?

MARTHY--Sure I will. T'anks. [She calls. ] Hey, Larry! Little service![He comes in. ]

ANNA--Same for me. 

MARTHY--Same here. [LARRY takes their glasses and goes out. ]

ANNA--Why don't you come sit over here, be sociable. I'm a deadstranger in this burg--and I ain't spoke a word with no one since daybefore yesterday. 

MARTHY--Sure thing. [She shuffles over to ANNA'S table and sits downopposite her. LARRY brings the drinks and ANNA pays him. ]

ANNA--Skoal! Here's how! [She drinks. ]

MARTHY--Here's luck! [She takes a gulp from her schooner. ]

ANNA--[Taking a package of Sweet Caporal cigarettes from her bag. ] Letyou smoke in here, won't they?

MARTHY--[Doubtfully. ] Sure. [Then with evident anxiety. ] On'y trow itaway if yuh hear someone comin'. 

ANNA--[Lighting one and taking a deep inhale. ] Gee, they're fussy inthis dump, ain't they? [She puffs, staring at the table top. MARTHYlooks her over with a new penetrating interest, taking in every detailof her face. ANNA suddenly becomes conscious of this appraisingstare--resentfully. ] Ain't nothing wrong with me, is there? You'relooking hard enough. 

MARTHY--[Irritated by the other's tone--scornfully. ] Ain't got to lookmuch. I got your number the minute you stepped in the door. 

ANNA--[Her eyes narrowing. ] Ain't you smart! Well, I got yours, too, without no trouble. You're me forty years from now. That's you! [Shegives a hard little laugh. ]

MARTHY--[Angrily. ] Is that so? Well, I'll tell you straight, kiddo, that Marthy Owen never--[She catches herself up short--with a grin. ]What are you and me scrappin' over? Let's cut it out, huh? Me, I don'twant no hard feelin's with no one. [Extending her hand. ] Shake andforget it, huh?

ANNA--[Shakes her hand gladly. ] Only too glad to. I ain't looking fortrouble. Let's have 'nother. What d'you say?

MARTHY--[Shaking her head. ] Not for mine. I'm full up. And you-- Hadanythin' to eat lately?

ANNA--Not since this morning on the train. 

MARTHY--Then yuh better go easy on it, hadn't yuh?

ANNA--[After a moment's hesitation. ] Guess you're right. I got to meetsomeone, too. But my nerves is on edge after that rotten trip. 

MARTHY--Yuh said yuh was just outa the hospital?

ANNA--Two weeks ago. [Leaning over to MARTHY confidentially. ] The jointI was in out in St. Paul got raided. That was the start. The judge giveall us girls thirty days. The others didn't seem to mind being in thecooler much. Some of 'em was used to it. But me, I couldn't stand it. It got my goat right--couldn't eat or sleep or nothing. I never couldstand being caged up nowheres. I got good and sick and they had to sendme to the hospital. It was nice there. I was sorry to leave it, honest!

MARTHY--[After a slight pause. ] Did yuh say yuh got to meet someonehere?

ANNA--Yes. Oh, not what you mean. It's my Old Man I got to meet. Honest! It's funny, too. I ain't seen him since I was a kid--don't evenknow what he looks like--yust had a letter every now and then. This wasalways the only address he give me to write him back. He's yanitor ofsome building here now--used to be a sailor. 

MARTHY--[Astonished. ] Janitor!

ANNA--Sure. And I was thinking maybe, seeing he ain't never done athing for me in my life, he might be willing to stake me to a room andeats till I get rested up. [Wearily. ] Gee, I sure need that rest! I'mknocked out. [Then resignedly. ] But I ain't expecting much from him. Give you a kick when you're down, that's what all men do. [With suddenpassion. ] Men, I hate 'em--all of 'em! And I don't expect he'll turnout no better than the rest. [Then with sudden interest. ] Say, do youhang out around this dump much?

MARTHY--Oh, off and on. 

ANNA--Then maybe you know him--my Old Man--or at least seen him?

MARTHY--It ain't old Chris, is it?

ANNA--Old Chris?

MARTHY--Chris Christopherson, his full name is. 

ANNA--[Excitedly. ] Yes, that's him! Anna Christopherson--that's my realname--only out there I called myself Anna Christie. So you know him, eh?

MARTHY--[Evasively. ] Seen him about for years. 

ANNA--Say, what's he like, tell me, honest?

MARTHY--Oh, he's short and--

ANNA--[Impatiently. ] I don't care what he looks like. What kind is he?

MARTHY--[Earnestly. ] Well, yuh can bet your life, kid, he's as good anold guy as ever walked on two feet. That goes!

ANNA--[Pleased. ] I'm glad to hear it. Then you think's he'll stake meto that rest cure I'm after?

MARTHY--[Emphatically. ] Surest thing you know. [Disgustedly. ] Butwhere'd yuh get the idea he was a janitor?

ANNA--He wrote me he was himself. 

MARTHY--Well, he was lyin'. He ain't. He's captain of a barge--five menunder him. 

ANNA--[Disgusted in her turn. ] A barge? What kind of a barge?

MARTHY--Coal, mostly. 

ANNA--A coal barge! [With a harsh laugh. ] If that ain't a swell job tofind your long lost Old Man working at! Gee, I knew something'd bebound to turn out wrong--always does with me. That puts my idea of hisgiving me a rest on the bum. 

MARTHY--What d'yuh mean?

ANNA--I s'pose he lives on the boat, don't he?

MARTHY--Sure. What about it? Can't you live on it, too?

ANNA--[Scornfully. ] Me? On a dirty coal barge! What d'you think I am?

MARTHY--[Resentfully. ] What d'yuh know about barges, huh? Bet yuh ain'tnever seen one. That's what comes of his bringing yuh up inland--awayfrom the old devil sea--where yuh'd be safe--Gawd! [The irony of itstrikes her sense of humor and she laughs hoarsely. ]

ANNA--[Angrily. ] His bringing me up! Is that what he tells people! Ilike his nerve! He let them cousins of my Old Woman's keep me on theirfarm and work me to death like a dog. 

MARTHY--Well, he's got queer notions on some things. I've heard him saya farm was the best place for a kid. 

ANNA--Sure. That's what he'd always answer back--and a lot of crazystuff about staying away from the sea--stuff I couldn't make head ortail to. I thought he must be nutty. 

MARTHY--He is on that one point. [Casually. ] So yuh didn't fall forlife on the farm, huh?

ANNA--I should say not! The old man of the family, his wife, and foursons--I had to slave for all of 'em. I was only a poor relation, andthey treated me worse than they dare treat a hired girl. [After amoment's hesitation--somberly. ] It was one of the sons--theyoungest--started me--when I was sixteen. After that, I hated 'em soI'd killed 'em all if I'd stayed. So I run away--to St. Paul. 

MARTHY--[Who has been listening sympathetically. ] I've heard Old Christalkin' about your bein' a nurse girl out there. Was that all a bluffyuh put up when yuh wrote him?

ANNA--Not on your life, it wasn't. It was true for two years. I didn'tgo wrong all at one jump. Being a nurse girl was yust what finished me. Taking care of other people's kids, always listening to their bawlingand crying, caged in, when you're only a kid yourself and want to goout and see things. At last I got the chance--to get into that house. And you bet your life I took it! [Defiantly. ] And I ain't sorryneither. [After a pause--with bitter hatred. ] It was all men'sfault--the whole business. It was men on the farm ordering and beatingme--and giving me the wrong start. Then when I was a nurse, it was menagain hanging around, bothering me, trying to see what they could get. [She gives a hard laugh. ] And now it's men all the time. Gawd, I hate'em all, every mother's son of 'em! Don't you?

MARTHY--Oh, I dunno. There's good ones and bad ones, kid. You've justhad a run of bad luck with 'em, that's all. Your Old Man, now--oldChris--he's a good one. 

ANNA--[Sceptically. ] He'll have to show me. 

MARTHY--Yuh kept right on writing him yuh was a nurse girl still, evenafter yuh was in the house, didn't yuh?

ANNA--Sure. [Cynically. ] Not that I think he'd care a darn. 

MARTHY--Yuh're all wrong about him, kid, [Earnestly. ] I know Old Chriswell for a long time. He's talked to me 'bout you lots o' times. Hethinks the world o' you, honest he does. 

ANNA--Aw, quit the kiddin'!

MARTHY--Honest! Only, he's a simple old guy, see? He's got nuttynotions. But he means well, honest. Listen to me, kid--[She isinterrupted by the opening and shutting of the street door in the barand by hearing CHRIS' voice. ] Ssshh!

ANNA--What's up?

CHRIS--[Who has entered the bar. He seems considerably sobered up. ] Pygolly, Larry, dat grub taste good. Marthy in back?

LARRY--Sure--and another tramp with her. [CHRIS starts for the entranceto the back room. ]

MARTHY--[To ANNA in a hurried, nervous whisper. ] That's him now. He'scomin' in here. Brace up!

ANNA--Who? [Chris opens the door. ]

MARTHY--[As if she were greeting him for the first time]. Why hello, Old Chris. [Then before he can speak, she shuffles hurriedly past himinto the bar, beckoning him to follow her. ] Come here. I wanta tell yuhsomethin'. [He goes out to her. She speaks hurriedly in a low voice. ]Listen! I'm goin' to beat it down to the barge--pack up me duds andblow. That's her in there--your Anna--just come--waitin' for yuh. Treather right, see? She's been sick. Well, s'long! [She goes into the backroom--to ANNA. ] S'long, kid. I gotta beat it now. See yuh later. 

ANNA--[Nervously. ] So long. [MARTHY goes quickly out of the familyentrance. ] LARRY--[Looking at the stupefied CHRIS curiously. ] Well, what's up now?

CHRIS--[Vaguely. ] Nutting--nutting. [He stands before the door to theback room in an agony of embarrassed emotion--then he forces himself toa bold decision, pushes open the door and walks in. He stands there, casts a shy glance at ANNA, whose brilliant clothes, and, to him, high-toned appearance awe him terribly. He looks about him with pitifulnervousness as if to avoid the appraising look with which she takes inhis face, his clothes, etc--his voice seeming to plead for herforbearance. ] Anna!

ANNA--[Acutely embarrassed in her turn. ] Hello--father. She told me itwas you. I yust got here a little while ago. 

CHRIS--[Goes slowly over to her chair. ] It's good--for see you--afterall dem years, Anna. [He bends down over her. After an embarrassedstruggle they manage to kiss each other. ]

ANNA--[A trace of genuine feeling in her voice. ] It's good to see you, too. 

CHRIS--[Grasps her arms and looks into her face--then overcome by awave of fierce tenderness. ] Anna lilla! Anna lilla! [Takes her in hisarms. ]

ANNA--[Shrinks away from him, half-frightened. ] What's that--Swedish? Idon't know it. [Then as if seeking relief from the tension in a volublechatter. ] Gee, I had an awful trip coming here. I'm all in. I had tosit up in the dirty coach all night--couldn't get no sleep, hardly--andthen I had a hard job finding this place. I never been in New Yorkbefore, you know, and--

CHRIS--[Who has been staring down at her face admiringly, not hearingwhat she says--impulsively. ] You know you vas awful pooty gel, Anna? Aybet all men see you fall in love with you, py yiminy!

ANNA--[Repelled--harshly. ] Cut it! You talk same as they all do. 

CHRIS--[Hurt--humbly. ] Ain't no harm for your fader talk dat vay, Anna. 

ANNA--[Forcing a short laugh. ] No--course not. Only--it's funny to seeyou and not remember nothing. You're like--a stranger. 

CHRIS--[Sadly. ] Ay s'pose. Ay never come home only few times ven youvas kit in Sveden. You don't remember dat?

ANNA--No. [Resentfully. ] But why didn't you never come home them days?Why didn't you never come out West to see me?

CHRIS--[Slowly. ] Ay tank, after your mo'der die, ven Ay vas avay onvoyage, it's better for you you don't never see me! [He sinks down inthe chair opposite her dejectedly--then turns to her--sadly. ] Ay don'tknow, Anna, vhy Ay never come home Sveden in ole year. Ay vant comehome end of every voyage. Ay vant see your mo'der, your two bro'derbefore dey vas drowned, you ven you vas born--but--Ay--don't go. Aysign on oder ships--go South America, go Australia, go China, go everyport all over world many times--but Ay never go aboard ship sail forSveden. Ven Ay gat money for pay passage home as passenger den--[Hebows his head guiltily. ] Ay forgat and Ay spend all money. Ven Ay tankagain, it's too late. [He sighs. ] Ay don't know vhy but dat's vay withmost sailor fallar, Anna. Dat ole davil sea make dem crazy fools withher dirty tricks. It's so. 

ANNA--[Who has watched him keenly while he has been speaking--with atrace of scorn in her voice. ] Then you think the sea's to blame foreverything, eh? Well, you're still workin' on it, ain't you, spite ofall you used to write me about hating it. That dame was here told meyou was captain of a coal barge--and you wrote me you was yanitor of abuilding!

CHRIS--[Embarrassed but lying glibly. ] Oh, Ay work on land long time asyanitor. Yust short time ago Ay got dis yob cause Ay vas sick, needopen air. 

ANNA--[Sceptically. ] Sick? You? You'd never think it. 

CHRIS--And, Anna, dis ain't real sailor yob. Dis ain't real boat onsea. She's yust ole tub--like piece of land with house on it dat float. Yob on her ain't sea yob. No. Ay don't gat yob on sea, Anna, if Ay diefirst. Ay swear dat, ven your mo'der die. Ay keep my word, py yingo!

ANNA--[Perplexed. ] Well, I can't see no difference. [Dismissing thesubject. ] Speaking of being sick, I been there myself--yust out of thehospital two weeks ago. 

CHRIS--[Immediately all concern. ] You, Anna? Py golly! [Anxiously. ] Youfeel better now, dough, don't you? You look little tired, dat's all!

ANNA--[Wearily. ] I am. Tired to death. I need a long rest and I don'tsee much chance of getting it. 

CHRIS--What you mean, Anna?

ANNA--Well, when I made up my mind to come to see you, I thought youwas a yanitor--that you'd have a place where, maybe, if you didn't mindhaving me, I could visit a while and rest up--till I felt able to getback on the job again. 

CHRIS--[Eagerly. ] But Ay gat place, Anna--nice place. You rest all youwant, py yiminy! You don't never have to vork as nurse gel no more. Youstay with me, py golly!

ANNA--[Surprised and pleased by his eagerness--with a smile. ] Thenyou're really glad to see me--honest?

CHRIS--[Pressing one of her hands in both of his. ] Anna, Ay like seeyou like hell, Ay tal you! And don't you talk no more about gattingyob. You stay with me. Ay don't see you for long time, you don't forgatdat. [His voice trembles. ] Ay'm gatting ole. Ay gat no one in vorld butyou. 

ANNA--[Touched--embarrassed by this unfamiliar emotion. ] Thanks. Itsounds good to hear someone--talk to me that way. Say, though--ifyou're so lonely--it's funny--why ain't you ever married again?

CHRIS--[Shaking his head emphatically--after a pause. ] Ay love yourmo'der too much for ever do dat, Anna. 

ANNA--[Impressed--slowly. ] I don't remember nothing about her. What wasshe like? Tell me. 

CHRIS--Ay tal you all about everytang--and you tal me all tangs happento you. But not here now. Dis ain't good place for young gel, anyway. Only no good sailor fallar come here for gat drunk. [He gets to hisfeet quickly and picks up her bag. ] You come with me, Anna. You needlie down, gat rest. 

ANNA--[Half rises to her feet, then sits down again. ] Where're yougoing?

CHRIS--Come. Ve gat on board. 

ANNA--[Disappointedly. ] On board your barge, you mean? [Dryly. ] Nix formine! [Then seeing his crestfallen look--forcing a smile. ] Do you thinkthat's a good place for a young girl like me--a coal barge?

CHRIS--[Dully. ] Yes, Ay tank. [He hesitates--then continues more andmore pleadingly. ] You don't know how nice it's on barge, Anna. Tug comeand ve gat towed out on voyage--yust water all round, and sun, andfresh air, and good grub for make you strong, healthy gel. You see manytangs you don't see before. You gat moonlight at night, maybe; seesteamer pass; see schooner make sail--see everytang dat's pooty. Youneed take rest like dat. You work too hard for young gel already. Youneed vacation, yes!

ANNA--[Who has listened to him with a growing interest--with anuncertain laugh. ] It sounds good to hear you tell it. I'd sure like atrip on the water, all right. It's the barge idea has me stopped. Well, I'll go down with you and have a look--and maybe I'll take a chance. Gee, I'd do anything once. 

CHRIS--[Picks up her bag again. ] Ye go, eh?

ANNA--What's the rush? Wait a second. [Forgetting the situation for amoment, she relapses into the familiar form and flashes one of herwinning trade smiles at him. ] Gee, I'm thirsty. 

CHRIS--[Sets down her bag immediately--hastily. ] Ay'm sorry, Anna. Whatyou tank you like for drink, eh?

ANNA--[Promptly. ] I'll take a--[Then suddenly reminded--confusedly. ] Idon't know. What'a they got here?

CHRIS--[With a grin. ] Ay don't tank dey got much fancy drink for younggel in dis place, Anna. Yinger ale--sas'prilla, maybe. 

ANNA--[Forcing a laugh herself. ] Make it sas, then. 

CHRIS--[Coming up to her--with a wink. ] Ay tal you, Anna, we calabrate, yes--dis one time because we meet after many year. [In a half whisper, embarrassedly. ] Dey gat good port wine, Anna. It's good for you. Aytank--little bit--for give you appetite. It ain't strong, neider. Oneglass don't go to your head, Ay promise. 

ANNA--[With a half hysterical laugh. ] All right! I'll take port. 

CHRIS--Ay go gat him. [He goes out to the bar. As soon as the doorcloses, Anna starts to her feet. ]

ANNA--[Picking up her bag--half--aloud--stammeringly. ] Gawd, I can'tstand this! I better beat it. [Then she lets her bag drop, stumblesover to her chair again, and covering her face with her hands, beginsto sob. ]

LARRY--[Putting down his paper as CHRIS comes up--with a grin. ] Well, who's the blond?

CHRIS--[Proudly. ] Dat vas Anna, Larry. 

LARRY--[In amazement. ] Your daughter, Anna? [CHRIS nods. LARRY lets along, low whistle escape him and turns away embarrassedly. ]

CHRIS--Don't you tank she vas pooty gel, Larry?

LARRY--[Rising to the occasion. ] Sure! A peach!

CHRIS--You bet you! Give me drink for take back--one port vine forAnna--she calabrate dis one time with me--and small beer for me. 

LARRY--[As he gets the drinks. ] Small beer for you, eh? She's reformin'you already. 

CHRIS--[Pleased. ] You bet! [He takes the drinks. As she hears himcoming, ANNA hastily dries her eyes, tries to smile. CHRIS comes in andsets the drinks down on the table--stares at her for a secondanxiously--patting her hand. ] You look tired, Anna. Veil, Ay make youtake good long rest now. [Picking up his beer. ] Come, you drink vine. It put new life in you. [She lifts her glass--he grins. ] Skoal, Anna!You know dat Svedish word?

ANNA--Skoal! [Downing her port at a gulp like a drink of whiskey--herlips trembling. ] Skoal? Guess I know that word, all right, all right!

[The Curtain Falls]

Act II

SCENE--Ten days later. The stern of the deeply-laden barge, "SIMEONWINTHROP, " at anchor in the outer harbor of Provincetown, Mass. It isten o'clock at night. Dense fog shrouds the barge on all sides, and shefloats motionless on a calm. A lantern set up on an immense coil ofthick hawser sheds a dull, filtering light on objects near it--theheavy steel bits for making fast the tow lines, etc. In the rear is thecabin, its misty windows glowing wanly with the light of a lamp inside. The chimney of the cabin stove rises a few feet above the roof. Thedoleful tolling of bells, on Long Point, on ships at anchor, breaks thesilence at regular intervals. 

As the curtain rises, ANNA is discovered standing near the coil of ropeon which the lantern is placed. She looks healthy, transformed, thenatural color has come back to her face. She has on a black, oilskincoat, but wears no hat. She is staring out into the fog astern with anexpression of awed wonder. The cabin door is pushed open and CHRISappears. He is dressed in yellow oilskins--coat, pants, sou'wester--andwears high sea-boots. 

CHRIS--[The glare from the cabin still in his eyes, peers blinkmglyastern. ] Anna! [Receiving no reply, he calls again, this time withapparent apprehension. ] Anna!

ANNA--[With a start--making a gesture with her hand as if to imposesilence--in a hushed whisper. ] Yes, here I am. What d'you want?

CHRIS--[Walks over to her--solicitously. ] Don't you come turn in, Anna?It's late--after four bells. It ain't good for you stay out here infog, Ay tank. 

ANNA--Why not? [With a trace of strange exultation. ] I love this fog!Honest! It's so--[She hesitates, groping for a word. ]--Funny and still. I feel as if I was--out of things altogether. 

CHRIS--[Spitting disgustedly. ] Fog's vorst one of her dirty tricks, pyyingo!

ANNA--[With a short laugh. ] Beefing about the sea again? I'm gettingso's I love it, the little I've seen. 

CHRIS--[Glancing at her moodily. ] Dat's foolish talk, Anna. You see hermore, you don't talk dat vay. [Then seeing her irritation, he hastilyadopts a more cheerful tone. ] But Ay'm glad you like it on barge. Ay'mglad it makes you feel good again. [With a placating grin. ] You likelive like dis alone with ole fa'der, eh?

ANNA--Sure I do. Everything's been so different from anything I evercome across before. And now--this fog--Gee, I wouldn't have missed itfor nothing. I never thought living on ships was so different fromland. Gee, I'd just love to work on it, honest I would, if I was a man. I don't wonder you always been a sailor. 

CHRIS--[Vehemently. ] Ay ain't sailor, Anna. And dis ain't real sea. Youonly see nice part. [Then as she doesn't answer, he continueshopefully. ] Vell, fog lift in morning, Ay tank. 

ANNA--[The exultation again in her voice. ] I love it! I don't give arap if it never lifts! [CHRIS fidgets from one foot to the otherworriedly. ANNA continues slowly, after a pause. ] It makes me feelclean--out here--'s if I'd taken a bath. 

CHRIS--[After a pause. ] You better go in cabin--read book. Dat put youto sleep. 

ANNA--I don't want to sleep. I want to stay out here--and think aboutthings. 

CHRIS--[Walks away from her toward the cabin--then comes back. ] You actfunny to-night, Anna. 

ANNA--[Her voice rising angrily. ] Say, what're you trying to do--makethings rotten? You been kind as kind can be to me and I certainlyappreciate it--only don't spoil it all now. [Then, seeing the hurtexpression on her father's face, she forces a smile. ] Let's talk ofsomething else. Come. Sit down here. [She points to the coil of rope. ]

CHRIS--[Sits down beside her with a sigh. ] It's gatting pooty late innight, Anna. Must be near five bells. 

ANNA--[Interestedly. ] Five bells? What time is that?

CHRIS--Half past ten. 

ANNA--Funny I don't know nothing about sea talk--but those cousins wasalways talking crops and that stuff. Gee, wasn't I sick of it--and ofthem!

CHRIS--You don't like live on farm, Anna?

ANNA--I've told you a hundred times I hated it. [Decidedly. ] I'd ratherhave one drop of ocean than all the farms in the world! Honest! And youwouldn't like a farm, neither. Here's where you belong. [She makes asweeping gesture seaward. ] But not on a coal barge. You belong on areal ship, sailing all over the world. 

CHRIS--[Moodily. ] Ay've done dat many year, Anna, when Ay vas damn fool. 

ANNA--[Disgustedly. ] Oh, rats! [After a pause she speaks musingly. ] Wasthe men in our family always sailors--as far back as you know about?

CHRIS--[Shortly. ] Yes. Damn fools! All men in our village on coast, Sveden, go to sea. Ain't nutting else for dem to do. My fa'der die onboard ship in Indian Ocean. He's buried at sea. Ay don't never know himonly little bit. Den my tree bro'der, older'n me, dey go on ships. DenAy go, too. Den my mo'der she's left all 'lone. She die pooty quickafter dat--all 'lone. Ve vas all avay on voyage when she die. [Hepauses sadly. ] Two my bro'der dey gat lost on fishing boat same likeyour bro'ders vas drowned. My oder bro'der, he save money, give up sea, den he die home in bed. He's only one dat ole davil don't kill. [Defiantly. ] But me, Ay bet you Ay die ashore in bed, too!

ANNA--Were all of 'em yust plain sailors?

CHEIS--Able body seaman, most of dem. [With a certain pride. ] Dey vasall smart seaman, too--A one. [Then after hesitating a moment--shyly. ]Ay vas bo'sun. 

ANNA--Bo'sun?

CHRIS--Dat's kind of officer. 

ANNA--Gee, that was fine. What does he do?

CHRIS--[After a second's hesitation, plunged into gloom again by hisfear of her enthusiasm. ] Hard vork all time. It's rotten, Ay tal you, for go to sea. [Determined to disgust her with sea life--volubly. ]Dey're all fool fallar, dem fallar in our family. Dey all vork rottenyob on sea for nutting, don't care nutting but yust gat big pay day inpocket, gat drunk, gat robbed, ship avay again on oder voyage. Deydon't come home, Dey don't do anytang like good man do. And dat oledavil, sea, sooner, later she svallow dem up. 

ANNA--[With an excited laugh. ] Good sports, I'd call 'em. [Thenhastily. ] But say--listen--did all the women of the family marrysailors?

CHRIS--[Eagerly--seeing a chance to drive home his point. ] Yes--andit's bad on dem like hell vorst of all. Dey don't see deir men onlyonce in long while. Dey set and vait all 'lone. And vhen deir boysgrows up, go to sea, dey sit and vait some more. [Vehemently. ] Any gelmarry sailor, she's crazy fool! Your mo'der she tal you same tang ifshe vas alive. [He relapses into an attitude of somber brooding. ]

ANNA--[After a pause--dreamily. ] Funny! I do feel sort of--nutty, to-night. I feel old. 

CHRIS--[Mystified. ] Old?

ANNA--Sure--like I'd been living a long, long time--out here in thefog. [Frowning perplexedly. ] I don't know how to tell you yust what Imean. It's like I'd come home after a long visit away some place. Itall seems like I'd been here before lots of times--on boats--in thissame fog. [With a short laugh. ] You must think I'm off my base. 

CHRIS--[Gruffly. ] Anybody feel funny dat vay in fog. 

ANNA--[Persistently. ] But why d'you s'pose I feel so--so--like I'dfound something I'd missed and been looking for--'s if this was theright place for me to fit in? And I seem to have forgot--everythingthat's happened--like it didn't matter no more. And I feel clean, somehow--like you feel yust after you've took a bath. And I feel happyfor once--yes, honest!--happier than I ever been anywhere before! [AsCHRIS makes no comment but a heavy sigh, she continues wonderingly. ]It's nutty for me to feel that way, don't you think?

CHRIS--[A grim foreboding in his voice. ] Ay tank Ay'm damn fool forbring you on voyage, Anna. 

ANNA--[Impressed by his tone. ] You talk--nutty to-night yourself. Youact's if you was scared something was going to happen. 

CHRIS--Only God know dat, Anna. 

ANNA--[Half-mockingly. ] Then it'll be Gawd's will, like the preacherssay-what does happen. 

CHRIS--[Starts to his feet with fierce protest. ] No! Dat ole davil, sea, she ain't God! [In the pause of silence that comes after hisdefiance a hail in a man's husky, exhausted voice comes faintly out ofthe fog to port. ] "Ahoy!" [CHRIS gives a startled exclamation. ]

ANNA--[Jumping to her feet. ] What's that?

CHRIS--[Who has regained his composure--sheepishly. ] Py golly, datscare me for minute. It's only some fallar hail, Anna--loose his coursein fog. Must be fisherman's power boat. His engine break down, Ayguess. [The "ahoy" comes again through the wall of fog, sounding muchnearer this time. CHRIS goes over to the port bulwark. ] Sound from disside. She come in from open sea. [He holds his hands to his mouth, megaphone-fashion, and shouts back. ] Ahoy, dere! Vhat's trouble?

THE VOICE--[This time sounding nearer but up forward toward the bow. ]Heave a rope when we come alongside. [Then irritably. ] Where are ye, yescut?

CHRIS--Ay hear dem rowing. Dey come up by bow, Ay tank. [Then shoutingout again. ] Dis vay!

THE VOICE--Right ye are! [There is a muffled sound of oars inoar-locks. ]

ANNA--[Half to herself--resentfully. ] Why don't that guy stay where hebelongs?

CHRIS--[Hurriedly. ] Ay go up bow. All hands asleep 'cepting fallar onvatch. Ay gat heave line to dat fallar. [He picks up a coil of rope andhurries off toward the bow. ANNA walks back toward the extreme stern asif she wanted to remain as much isolated possible. She turns her backon the proceedings and stares out into the fog. THE VOICE is heardagain shouting "Ahoy" and CHRIS answering "Dis way" Then there is apause--the murmur of excited voices--then the scuffling of feet. CHRISappears from around the cabin to port. He is supporting the limp formof a man dressed in dungarees, holding one of the man's arms around hisneck. The deckhand, JOHNSON, a young, blond Swede, follows him, helpingalong another exhausted man similar fashion. ANNA turns to look atthem. Chris stops for a second--volubly. ] Anna! You come help, villyou? You find vhiskey in cabin. Dese fallars need drink for fix dem. Dey vas near dead. 

ANNA--[Hurrying to him. ] Sure--but who are they? What's the trouble?

CHRIS--Sailor fallars. Deir steamer gat wrecked. Dey been five days inopen boat--four fallars--only one left able stand up. Come, Anna. [Sheprecedes him into the cabin, holding the door open while he and JOHNSONcarry in their burdens. The door is shut, then opened again as JOHNSONcomes out. CHRIS'S voice shouts after him. ] Go gat oder fallar, Yohnson. 

JOHNSON--Yes, sir. [He goes. The door is closed again. MAT BURKEstumbles in around the port side of the cabin. He moves slowly, feelinghis way uncertainly, keeping hold of the port bulwark with his righthand to steady himself. He is stripped to the waist, has on nothing buta pair of dirty dungaree pants. He is a powerful, broad-chestedsix-footer, his face handsome in a hard, rough, bold, defiant way. Heis about thirty, in the full power of his heavy-muscled, immensestrength. His dark eyes are bloodshot and wild from sleeplessness. Themuscles of his arms and shoulders are lumped in knots and bunches, theveins of his forearms stand out like blue cords. He finds his way tothe coil of hawser and sits down on it facing the cabin, his backbowed, head in his hands, in an attitude of spent weariness. ]

BURKE--[Talking aloud to himself. ] Row, ye divil! Row! [Then liftinghis head and looking about him. ] What's this tub? Well, we're safeanyway--with the help of God. [He makes the sign of the crossmechanically. JOHNSON comes along the deck to port, supporting thefourth man, who is babbling to himself incoherently. BURKE glances athim disdainfully. ] Is it losing the small wits ye iver had, ye are?Deck-scrubbing scut! [They pass him and go into the cabin, leaving thedoor open. BURKE sags forward wearily. ] I'm bate out--bate out entirely. 

ANNA--[Comes out of the cabin with a tumbler quarter-full of whiskey inher hand. She gives a start when she sees BURKE so near her, the lightfrom the open door falling full on him. Then, overcoming what isevidently a feeling of repulsion, she comes up beside him. ] Here youare. Here's a drink for you. You need it, I guess. 

BURKE--[Lifting his head slowly--confusedly. ] Is it dreaming I am?

ANNA--[Half smiling. ] Drink it and you'll find it ain't no dream. 

BURKE--To hell with the drink--but I'll take it just the same. [Hetosses it down. ] Aah! I'm needin' that--and 'tis fine stuff. [Lookingup at her with frank, grinning admiration. ] But 'twasn't the booze Imeant when I said, was I dreaming. I thought you was some mermaid outof the sea come to torment me. [He reaches out to feel of her arm. ]Aye, rale flesh and blood, divil a less. 

ANNA--[Coldly. Stepping back from him. ] Cut that. 

BURKE--But tell me, isn't this a barge I'm on--or isn't it?

ANNA--Sure. 

BURKE--And what is a fine handsome woman the like of you doing on thisscow?

ANNA--[Coldly. ] Never you mind. [Then half-amused in spite of herself. ]Say, you're a great one, honest--starting right in kidding after whatyou been through. 

BURKE--[Delighted--proudly. ] Ah, it was nothing--aisy for a rale manwith guts to him, the like of me. [He laughs. ] All in the day's work, darlin'. [Then, more seriously but still in a boastful tone, confidentially. ] But I won't be denying 'twas a damn narrow squeak. We'd all ought to be with Davy Jones at the bottom of the sea, berights. And only for me, I'm telling you, and the great strength andguts is in me, we'd be being scoffed by the fishes this minute!

ANNA--[Contemptuously. ] Gee, you hate yourself, don't you? [Thenturning away from him indifferently. ] Well, you'd better come in andlie down. You must want to sleep. 

BURKE--[Stung--rising unsteadily to his feet with chest out and headthrown back--resentfully. ] Lie down and sleep, is it? Divil a wink I'mafter having for two days and nights and divil a bit I'm needing now. Let you not be thinking I'm the like of them three weak scuts come inthe boat with me. I could lick the three of them sitting down with onehand tied behind me. They may be bate out, but I'm not--and I've beenrowing the boat with them lying in the bottom not able to raise a handfor the last two days we was in it. [Furiously, as he sees this ismaking no impression on her. ] And I can lick all hands on this tub, wanbe wan, tired as I am!

ANNA--[Sarcastically. ] Gee, ain't you a hard guy! [Then, with a traceof sympathy, as she notices him swaying from weakness. ] But never mindthat fight talk. I'll take your word for all you've said. Go on and sitdown out here, anyway, if I can't get you to come inside. [He sits downweakly. ] You're all in, you might as well own up to it. 

BURKE--[Fiercely. ] The hell I am!

ANNA--[Coldly. ] Well, be stubborn then for all I care. And I must say Idon't care for your language. The men I know don't pull that roughstuff when ladies are around. 

BURKE--[Getting unsteadily to his feet again--in a rage. ] Ladies!Ho-ho! Divil mend you! Let you not be making game of me. What wouldladies be doing on this bloody hulk? [As ANNA attempts to go to thecabin, he lurches into her path. ] Aisy, now! You're not the oldSquare-head's woman, I suppose you'll be telling me next--living in hiscabin with him, no less! [Seeing the cold, hostile expression on ANNA'sface, he suddenly changes his tone to one of boisterous joviality. ] ButI do be thinking, iver since the first look my eyes took at you, thatit's a fool you are to be wasting yourself--a fine, handsome girl--on astumpy runt of a man like that old Swede. There's too many strappinggreat lads on the sea would give their heart's blood for one kiss ofyou!

ANNA--[Scornfully. ] Lads like you, eh?

BURKE--[Grinning. ] Ye take the words out o' my mouth. I'm the properlad for you, if it's meself do be saying it. [With a quick movement heputs his arms about her waist. ] Whisht, now, me daisy! Himself's in thecabin. It's wan of your kisses I'm needing to take the tiredness fromme bones. Wan kiss, now! [He presses her to him and attempts to kissher. ]

ANNA--[Struggling fiercely. ] Leggo of me, you big mut! [She pushes himaway with all her might. BURKE, weak and tottering, is caught off hisguard. He is thrown down backward and, in falling, hits his head a hardthump against the bulwark. He lies there still, knocked out for themoment. ANNA stands for a second, looking down at him frightenedly. Then she kneels down beside him and raises his head to her knee, staring into his face anxiously for some sign of life. ]

BURKE--[Stirring a bit--mutteringly. ] God stiffen it! [He opens hiseyes and blinks up at her with vague wonder. ]

ANNA--[Letting his head sink back on the deck, rising to her feet witha sigh of relief. ] You're coming to all right, eh? Gee, I was scaredfor a moment I'd killed you. 

BURKE--[With difficulty rising to a sitting position--scornfully. ]Killed, is it? It'd take more than a bit of a blow to crack my thickskull. [Then looking at her with the most intense admiration. ] But, glory be, it's a power of strength is in them two fine arms of yours. There's not a man in the world can say the same as you, that he seenMat Burke lying at his feet and him dead to the world. 

ANNA--[Rather remorsefully. ] Forget it. I'm sorry it happened, see?[BURKE rises and sits on bench. Then severely. ] Only you had no rightto be getting fresh with me. Listen, now, and don't go getting any morewrong notions. I'm on this barge because I'm making a trip with myfather. The captain's my father. Now you know. 

BURKE--The old square--the old Swede, I mean?

ANNA--Yes. 

BURKE--[Rising--peering at her face. ] Sure I might have known it, if Iwasn't a bloody fool from birth. Where else'd you get that fine yellowhair is like a golden crown on your head. 

ANNA--[With an amused laugh. ] Say, nothing stops you, does it? [Thenattempting a severe tone again. ] But don't you think you ought to beapologizing for what you said and done yust a minute ago, instead oftrying to kid me with that mush?

BURKE--[Indignantly. ] Mush! [Then bending forward toward her with veryintense earnestness. ] Indade and I will ask your pardon a thousandtimes--and on my knees, if ye like. I didn't mean a word of what I saidor did. [Resentful again for a second. ] But divil a woman in all theports of the world has iver made a great fool of me that way before!

ANNA--[With amused sarcasm. ] I see. You mean you're a lady-killer andthey all fall for you. 

BURKE--[Offended. Passionately. ] Leave off your fooling! 'Tis that isafter getting my back up at you. [Earnestly. ] 'Tis no lie I'm tellingyou about the women. [Ruefully. ] Though it's a great jackass I am to bemistaking you, even in anger, for the like of them cows on thewaterfront is the only women I've met up with since I was growed to aman. [As ANNA shrinks away from him at this, he hurries on pleadingly. ]I'm a hard, rough man and I'm not fit, I'm thinking, to be kissing theshoe-soles of a fine, dacent girl the like of yourself. 'Tis only theignorance of your kind made me see you wrong. So you'll forgive me, forthe love of God, and let us be friends from this out. [Passionately. ]I'm thinking I'd rather be friends with you than have my wish foranything else in the world. [He holds out his hand to her shyly. ]

ANNA--[Looking queerly at him, perplexed and worried, but moved andpleased in spite of herself--takes his hand uncertainly. ] Sure. 

BURKE--[With boyish delight. ] God bless you! [In his excitement hesqueezes her hand tight. ]

ANNA--Ouch!

BURKE--[Hastily dropping her hand--ruefully. ] Your pardon, Miss. 'Tis aclumsy ape I am. [Then simply--glancing down his arm proudly. ] It'sgreat power I have in my hand and arm, and I do be forgetting it attimes. 

ANNA--[Nursing her crushed hand and glancing at his arm, not without atrace of his own admiration. ] Gee, you're some strong, all right. 

BURKE--[Delighted. ] It's no lie, and why shouldn't I be, with meshoveling a million tons of coal in the stokeholes of ships since I wasa lad only. [He pats the coil of hawser invitingly. ] Let you sit down, now, Miss, and I'll be telling you a bit of myself, and you'll betelling me a bit of yourself, and in an hour we'll be as old friends asif we was born in the same house. [He pulls at her sleeve shyly. ] Sitdown now, if you plaze. 

ANNA--[With a half laugh. ] Well--[She sits down. ] But we won't talkabout me, see? You tell me about yourself and about the wreck. 

BURKE--[Flattered. ] I'll tell you, surely. But can I be asking you onequestion. Miss, has my head in a puzzle?

ANNA--[Guardedly. ] Well--I dunno--what is it?

BURKE--What is it you do when you're not taking a trip with the OldMan? For I'm thinking a fine girl the like of you ain't living alwayson this tub. 

ANNA--[Uneasily. ] No--of course I ain't. [She searches his facesuspiciously, afraid there may be some hidden insinuation in his words. Seeing his simple frankness, she goes on confidently. ] Well, I'll tellyou. I'm a governess, see? I take care of kids for people and learnthem things. 

BURKE--[Impressed. ] A governess, is it? You must be smart, surely. 

ANNA--But let's not talk about me. Tell me about the wreck, like youpromised me you would. 

BURKE--[Importantly. ] 'Twas this way, Miss. Two weeks out we ran intothe divil's own storm, and she sprang wan hell of a leak up for'ard. The skipper was hoping to make Boston before another blow would finishher, but ten days back we met up with another storm the like of thefirst, only worse. Four days we was in it with green seas raking overher from bow to stern. That was a terrible time, God help us. [Proudly. ] And if 'twasn't for me and my great strength, I'm tellingyou--and it's God's truth--there'd been mutiny itself in the stokehole. 'Twas me held them to it, with a kick to wan and a clout to another, and they not caring a damn for the engineers any more, but fearing aclout of my right arm more than they'd fear the sea itself. [He glancesat her anxiously, eager for her approval. ]

ANNA--[Concealing a smile--amused by this boyish boasting of his. ] Youdid some hard work, didn't you?

BURKE--[Promptly. ] I did that! I'm a divil for sticking it out whenthem that's weak give up. But much good it did anyone! 'Twas a mad, fightin' scramble in the last seconds with each man for himself. Idisremember how it come about, but there was the four of us in wan boatand when we was raised high on a great wave I took a look about anddivil a sight there was of ship or men on top of the sea. 

ANNA--[In a subdued voice. ] Then all the others was drowned?

BURKE--They was, surely. 

ANNA--[With a shudder. ] What a terrible end!

BURKE--[Turns to her. ] A terrible end for the like of them swabs doeslive on land, maybe. But for the like of us does be roaming the seas, agood end, I'm telling you--quick and clane. 

ANNA--[Struck by the word. ] Yes, clean. That's yust the word for--allof it--the way it makes me feel. 

BURKE--The sea, you mean? [Interestedly. ] I'm thinking you have a bitof it in your blood, too. Your Old Man wasn't only a barge rat--beggingyour pardon--all his life, by the cut of him. 

ANNA--No, he was bo'sun on sailing ships for years. And all the men onboth sides of the family have gone to sea as far back as he remembers, he says. All the women have married sailors, too. 

BURKE--[With intense satisfaction. ] Did they, now? They had spirit inthem. It's only on the sea you'd find rale men with guts is fit to wedwith fine, high-tempered girls [Then he adds half-boldly] the like ofyourself. 

ANNA--[With a laugh. ] There you go kiddin' again. [Then seeing his hurtexpression--quickly. ] But you was going to tell me about yourself. You're Irish, of course I can tell that. 

BURKE--[Stoutly. ] Yes, thank God, though I've not seen a sight of it infifteen years or more. 

ANNA--[Thoughtfully. ] Sailors never do go home hardly, do they? That'swhat my father was saying. 

BURKE--He wasn't telling no lie. [With sudden melancholy. ] It's a hardand lonesome life, the sea is. The only women you'd meet in the portsof the world who'd be willing to speak you a kind word isn't woman atall. You know the kind I mane, and they're a poor, wicked lot, Godforgive them. They're looking to steal the money from you only. 

ANNA--[Her face averted--rising to her feet--agitatedly. ] I think--Iguess I'd better see what's doing inside. 

BURKE--[Afraid he has offended her--beseechingly. ] Don't go, I'msaying! Is it I've given you offence with my talk of the like of them?Don't heed it at all! I'm clumsy in my wits when it comes to talkingproper with a girl the like of you. And why wouldn't I be? Since theday I left home for to go to sea punching coal, this is the first timeI've had a word with a rale, dacent woman. So don't turn your back onme now, and we beginning to be friends. 

ANNA--[Turning to him again--forcing a smile. ] I'm not sore at you, honest. 

BURKE--[Gratefully. ] God bless you!

ANNA--[Changing the subject abruptly. ] But if you honestly think thesea's such a rotten life, why don't you get out of it?

BURKE--[Surprised. ] Work on land, is it? [She nods. He spitsscornfully. ] Digging spuds in the muck from dawn to dark, I suppose?[Vehemently. ] I wasn't made for it, Miss. 

ANNA--[With a laugh. ] I thought you'd say that. 

BURKE--[Argumentatively. ] But there's good jobs and bad jobs at sea, like there'd be on land. I'm thinking if it's in the stokehole of aproper liner I was, I'd be able to have a little house and be home toit wan week out of four. And I'm thinking that maybe then I'd have theluck to find a fine dacent girl--the like of yourself, now--would bewilling to wed with me. 

ANNA--[Turning away from him with a short laugh--uneasily. ] Why, sure. Why not?

BURKE--[Edging up close to her--exultantly. ] Then you think a girl thelike of yourself might maybe not mind the past at all but only beseeing the good herself put in me?

ANNA--[In the same tone. ] Why, sure. 

BURKE--[Passionately. ] She'd not be sorry for it, I'd take my oath!'Tis no more drinking and roving about I'd be doing then, but giving mypay day into her hand and staying at home with her as meek as a lambeach night of the week I'd be in port. 

ANNA--[Moved in spite of herself and troubled by this half-concealedproposal--with a forced laugh. ] All you got to do is find the girl. 

BURKE--I have found her!

ANNA--[Half-frightenedly--trying to laugh it off. ] You have? When? Ithought you was saying--

BURKE--[Boldly and forcefully. ] This night. [Hanging his head--humbly. ]If she'll be having me. [Then raising his eyes to hers--simply. ] 'Tisyou I mean. 

ANNA--[Is held by his eyes for a moment--then shrinks back from himwith a strange, broken laugh. ] Say--are you--going crazy? Are youtrying to kid me? Proposing--to me!--for Gawd's sake!--on such shortacquaintance? [CHRIS comes out of the cabin and stands staringblinkingly astern. When he makes out ANNA in such intimate proximity tothis strange sailor, an angry expression comes over his face. ]

BURKE--[Following her--with fierce, pleading insistence. ] I'm tellingyou there's the will of God in it that brought me safe through thestorm and fog to the wan spot in the world where you was! Think of thatnow, and isn't it queer--

CHRIS--Anna! [He comes toward them, raging, his fists clenched. ] Anna, you gat in cabin, you hear!

ANNA--[All her emotions immediately transformed into resentment at hisbullying tone. ] Who d'you think you're talking to--a slave?

CHRIS--[Hurt--his voice breaking--pleadingly. ] You need gat rest, Anna. You gat sleep. [She does not move. He turns on BURKE furiously. ] Whatyou doing here, you sailor fallar? You ain't sick like oders. You gatin fo'c's'tle. Dey give you bunk. [Threateningly. ] You hurry, Ay talyou!

ANNA--[Impulsively. ] But he is sick. Look at him. He can hardly standup. 

BURKE--[Straightening and throwing out his chest--with a bold laugh. ]Is it giving me orders ye are, me bucko? Let you look out, then! Withwan hand, weak as I am, I can break ye in two and fling the pieces overthe side--and your crew after you. [Stopping abruptly. ] I wasforgetting. You're her Old Man and I'd not raise a fist to you for theworld. [His knees sag, he wavers and seems about to fall. ANNA uttersan exclamation of alarm and hurries to his slde. ]

ANNA--[Taking one of his arms over her shoulder. ] Come on in the cabin. You can have my bed if there ain't no other place. 

BURKE--[With jubilant happiness--as they proceed toward the cabin. ]Glory be to God, is it holding my arm about your neck you are! Anna!Anna! Sure it's a sweet name is suited to you. 

ANNA--[Guiding him carefully. ] Sssh! Sssh!

BURKE--Whisht, is it? Indade, and I'll not. I'll be roaring it out likea fog horn over the sea! You're the girl of the world and we'll bemarrying soon and I don't care who knows it!

ANNA--[As she guides him through the cabin door. ] Ssshh! Never mindthat talk. You go to sleep. [They go out of sight in the cabin. CHRIS, who has been listening to BURKE's last words with open-mouthedamazement stands looking after them helplessly. ]

CHRIS--[Turns suddenly and shakes his fist out at the sea--with bitterhatred. ] Dat's your dirty trick, damn ole davil, you! [Then in a frenzyof rage. ] But, py God, you don't do dat! Not while Ay'm living! No, pyGod, you don't!

[The Curtain Falls]

ACT III

SCENE--The interior of the cabin on the barge, "Simeon Winthrop" (atdock in Boston)--a narrow, low-ceilinged compartment the walls of whichare painted a light brown with white trimmings. In the rear on theleft, a door leading to the sleeping quarters. In the far left corner, a large locker-closet, painted white, on the door of which a mirrorhangs on a nail. In the rear wall, two small square windows and a dooropening out on the deck toward the stern. In the right wall, two morewindows looking out on the port deck. White curtains, clean and stiff, are at the windows. A table with two cane-bottomed chairs stands in thecenter of the cabin. A dilapidated, wicker rocker, painted brown, isalso by the table. 

It is afternoon of a sunny day about a week later. From the harbor anddocks outside, muffled by the closed door and windows, comes the soundof steamers' whistles and the puffing snort of the donkey engines ofsome ship unloading nearby. 

As the curtain rises, CHRIS and ANNA are discovered. ANNA is seated inthe rocking-chair by the table, with a newspaper in her hands. She isnot reading but staring straight in front of her. She looks unhappy, troubled, frowningly concentrated on her thoughts. CHRIS wanders aboutthe room, casting quick, uneasy side glances at her face, then stoppingto peer absentmindedly out of the window. His attitude betrays anoverwhelming, gloomy anxiety which has him on tenter hooks. He pretendsto be engaged in setting things ship-shape, but this occupation isconfined to picking up some object, staring at it stupidly for asecond, then aimlessly putting it down again. He clears his throat andstarts to sing to himself in a low, doleful voice: "My Yosephine, comeaboard de ship. Long time Ay wait for you. "

ANNA--[Turning on him, sarcastically. ] I'm glad someone's feeling good. [Wearily. ] Gee, I sure wish we was out of this dump and back in NewYork. 

CHRIS--[With a sigh. ] Ay'm glad vhen ve sail again, too. [Then, as shemakes no comment, he goes on with a ponderous attempt at sarcasm. ] Aydon't see vhy you don't like Boston, dough. You have good time here, Aytank. You go ashore all time, every day and night veek ve've been here. You go to movies, see show, gat all kinds fun--[His eyes hard withhatred. ] All with that damn Irish fallar!

ANNA--[With weary scorn. ] Oh, for heaven's sake, are you off on thatagain? Where's the harm in his taking me around? D'you want me to sitall day and night in this cabin with you--and knit? Ain't I got a rightto have as good a time as I can?

CHRIS--It ain't right kind of fun--not with that fallar, no. 

ANNA--I been back on board every night by eleven, ain't I? [Then struckby some thought--looks at him with keen suspicion--with rising anger. ]Say, look here, what d'you mean by what you yust said?

CHRIS--[Hastily. ] Nutting but what Ay say, Anna. 

ANNA--You said "ain't right" and you said it funny. Say, listen here, you ain't trying to insinuate that there's something wrong between us, are you?

CHRIS--[Horrified. ] No, Anna! No, Ay svear to God, Ay never tank dat!

ANNA--[Mollified by his very evident sincerity--sitting down again. ]Well, don't you never think it neither if you want me ever to speak toyou again. [Angrily again. ] If I ever dreamt you thought that, I'd getthe hell out of this barge so quick you couldn't see me for dust. 

CHRIS--[Soothingly. ] Ay wouldn't never dream--[Then, after a second'spause, reprovingly. ] You vas gatting learn to svear. Dat ain't nice foryoung gel, you tank?

ANNA--[With a faint trace of a smile. ] Excuse me. You ain't used tosuch language, I know. [Mockingly. ] That's what your taking me to seahas done for me. 

CHRIS--[Indignantly. ] No, it ain't me. It's dat damn sailor fallarlearn you bad tangs. 

ANNA--He ain't a sailor. He's a stoker. 

CHRIS--[Forcibly. ] Dat vas million times vorse, Ay tal you! Dem fallarsdat vork below shoveling coal vas de dirtiest, rough gang of no-goodfallars in vorld!

ANNA--I'd hate to hear you say that to Mat. 

CHRIS--Oh, Ay tal him same tang. You don't gat it in head Ay'm scaredof him yust 'cause he vas stronger'n Ay vas. [Menacingly. ] You don'tgat for fight with fists with dem fallars. Dere's oder vay for fix him. 

ANNA--[Glancing at him with sudden alarm. ] What d'you mean?

CHRIS--[Sullenly. ] Nutting. 

ANNA--You'd better not. I wouldn't start no trouble with him if I wasyou. He might forget some time that you was old and my father--and thenyou'd be out of luck. 

CHRIS--[With smouldering hatred. ] Vell, yust let him! Ay'm ole birdmaybe, but Ay bet Ay show him trick or two. 

ANNA--[Suddenly changing her tone--persuasively. ] Aw come on, be good. What's eating you, anyway? Don't you want no one to be nice to meexcept yourself?

CHRIS--[Placated--coming to her--eagerly. ] Yes, Ay do, Anna--only notfallar on sea. But Ay like for you marry steady fallar got good yob onland. You have little home in country all your own--

ANNA--[Rising to her feet--brusquely. ] Oh, cut it out! [Scornfully. ]Little home in the country! I wish you could have seen the little homein the country where you had me in jail till I was sixteen! [Withrising irritation. ] Some day you're going to get me so mad with thattalk, I'm going to turn loose on you and tell you--a lot of thingsthat'll open your eyes. 

CHRIS--[Alarmed. ] Ay don't vant--

ANNA--I know you don't; but you keep on talking yust the same. 

CHRIS--Ay don't talk no more den, Anna. 

ANNA--Then promise me you'll cut out saying nasty things about MatBurke every chance you get. 

CHRIS--[Evasive and suspicious. ] Vhy? You like dat fallar--very much, Anna?

ANNA--Yes, I certainly do! He's a regular man, no matter what faultshe's got. One of his fingers is worth all the hundreds of men I met outthere--inland. 

CHRIS--[His face darkening. ] Maybe you tank you love him, den?

ANNA--[Defiantly. ] What of it if I do?

CHRIS--[Scowling and forcing out the words. ] Maybe--you tank you--marryhim?

ANNA--[Shaking her head. ] No! [CHRIS' face lights up with relief. ANNAcontinues slowly, a trace of sadness in her voice. ] If I'd met him fouryears ago--or even two years ago--I'd have jumped at the chance, I tellyou that straight. And I would now--only he's such a simple guy--a bigkid--and I ain't got the heart to fool him. [She breaks off suddenly. ]But don't never say again he ain't good enough for me. It's me ain'tgood enough for him. 

CHRIS--[Snorts scornfully. ] Py yiminy, you go crazy, Ay tank!

ANNA--[With a mournful laugh. ] Well, I been thinking I was myself thelast few days. [She goes and takes a shawl from a hook near the doorand throws it over her shoulders. ] Guess I'll take a walk down to theend of the dock for a minute and see what's doing. I love to watch theships passing. Mat'll be along before long, I guess. Tell him where Iam, will you?

CHRIS--[Despondently. ] All right, Ay tal him. [ANNA goes out thedoorway on rear. CHRIS follows her out and stands on the deck outsidefor a moment looking after her. Then he comes back inside and shuts thedoor. He stands looking out of the window--mutters--"Dirty die davil, you. " Then he goes to the table, sets the cloth straight mechanically, picks up the newspaper ANNA has let fall to the floor and sits down inthe rocking-chair. He stares at the paper for a while, then puts it ontable, holds his head in his hands and sighs drearily. The noise of aman's heavy footsteps comes from the deck outside and there is a loudknock on the door. CHRIS starts, makes a move as if to get up and go tothe door, then thinks better of it and sits still. The knock isrepeated--then as no answer comes, the door is flung open and MAT BURKEappears. CHRIS scowls at the intruder and his hand instinctively goesback to the sheath knife on his hip. BURKE is dressed up--wears a cheapblue suit, a striped cotton shirt with a black tie, and black shoesnewly shined. His face is beaming with good humor. ]

BURKE--[As he sees CHRIS--in a jovial tone of mockery. ] Well, God blesswho's here! [He bends down and squeezes his huge form through thenarrow doorway. ] And how is the world treating you this afternoon, Anna's father?

CHRIS--[Sullenly. ] Pooty goot--if it ain't for some fallars. BURKE--[With a grin. ] Meaning me, do you? [He laughs. ] Well, if youain't the funny old crank of a man! [Then soberly. ] Where's herself?[CHRIS sits dumb, scowling, his eyes averted. BURKE is irritated bythis silence. ] Where's Anna, I'm after asking you?

CHRIS--[Hesitating--then grouchily. ] She go down end of dock. 

BURKE--I'll be going down to her, then. But first I'm thinking I'lltake this chance when we're alone to have a word with you. [He sitsdown opposite CHRIS at the table and leans over toward him. ] And thatword is soon said. I'm marrying your Anna before this day is out, andyou might as well make up your mind to it whether you like it or no. 

CHRIS--[Glaring at him with hatred and forcing a scornful laugh. ]Ho-ho! Dat's easy for say!

BURKE--You mean I won't? [Scornfully. ] Is it the like of yourself willstop me, are you thinking?

CHRIS--Yes, Ay stop it, if it come to vorst. 

BURKE--[With scornful pity. ] God help you!

CHRIS--But ain't no need for me do dat. Anna--

BURKE--[Smiling confidently. ] Is it Anna you think will prevent me?

CHRIS--Yes. 

BURKE--And I'm telling you she'll not. She knows I'm loving her, andshe loves me the same, and I know it. 

CHRIS--Ho-ho! She only have fun. She make big fool of you, dat's all!

BURKE--[Unshaken--pleasantly. ] That's a lie in your throat, divil mendyou!

CHRIS--No, it ain't lie. She tal me yust before she go out she nevermarry fallar like you. 

BURKE--I'll not believe it. 'Tis a great old liar you are, and a divilto be making a power of trouble if you had your way. But 'tis nottrouble I'm looking for, and me sitting down here. [Earnestly. ] Let usbe talking it out now as man to man. You're her father, and wouldn't itbe a shame for us to be at each other's throats like a pair of dogs, and I married with Anna. So out with the truth, man alive. What is ityou're holding against me at all?

CHRIS--[A bit placated, in spite of himself, by BURKE'S evidentsincerity--but puzzled and suspicious. ] Vell--Ay don't vant for Annagat married. Listen, you fallar. Ay'm a ole man. Ay don't see Anna forfifteen year. She vas all Ay gat in vorld. And now ven she come onfirst trip--you tank Ay vant her leave me 'lone again?

BURKE--[Heartily. ] Let you not be thinking I have no heart at all forthe way you'd be feeling. 

CHRIS--[Astonished and encouraged--trying to plead persuasively. ] Denyou do right tang, eh? You ship avay again, leave Anna alone. [Cajolingly. ] Big fallar like you dat's on sea, he don't need vife. Hegat new gel in every port, you know dat. 

BURKE--[Angry for a second. ] God stiffen you! [Then controllinghimself--calmly. ] I'll not be giving you the lie on that. But diviltake you, there's a time comes to every man, on sea or land, that isn'ta born fool, when he's sick of the lot of them cows, and wearing hisheart out to meet up with a fine dacent girl, and have a home to callhis own and be rearing up children in it. 'Tis small use you're askingme to leave Anna. She's the wan woman of the world for me, and I can'tlive without her now, I'm thinking. 

CHRIS--You forgat all about her in one veek out of port, Ay bet you!

BURKE--You don't know the like I am. Death itself wouldn't make meforget her. So let you not be making talk to me about leaving her. I'llnot, and be damned to you! It won't be so bad for you as you'd make outat all. She'll be living here in the States, and her married to me. Andyou'd be seeing her often so--a sight more often than ever you saw herthe fifteen years she was growing up in the West. It's quare you'd bethe one to be making great trouble about her leaving you when you neverlaid eyes on her once in all them years. 

CHRIS--[Guiltily. ] Ay taught it vas better Anna stay avay, grow upinland where she don't ever know ole davil, sea. 

BURKE--[Scornfully. ] Is it blaming the sea for your troubles ye areagain, God help you? Well, Anna knows it now. 'Twas in her blood, anyway. 

CHRIS--And Ay don't vant she ever know no-good fallar on sea--

BURKE--She knows one now. 

CHRIS--[Banging the table with his fist--furiously. ] Dat's yust it!Dat's yust what you are--no-good, sailor fallar! You tank Ay lat herlife be made sorry by you like her mo'der's vas by me! No, Ay svear!She don't marry you if Ay gat kill you first!

BURKE--[Looks at him a moment, in astonishment--then laughinguproariously. ] Ho-ho! Glory be to God, it's bold talk you have for astumpy runt of a man!

CHRIS--[Threateningly. ] Vell--you see!

BURKE--[With grinning defiance. ] I'll see, surely! I'll see myself andAnna married this day, I'm telling you! [Then with contemptuousexasperation. ] It's quare fool's blather you have about the sea donethis and the sea done that. You'd ought to be shamed to be saying thelike, and you an old sailor yourself. I'm after hearing a lot of itfrom you and a lot more that Anna's told me you do be saying to her, and I'm thinking it's a poor weak thing you are, and not a man at all!

CHRIS--[Darkly. ] You see if Ay'm man--maybe quicker'n you tank. 

BURKE--[Contemptuously. ] Yerra, don't be boasting. I'm thinking 'tisout of your wits you've got with fright of the sea. You'd be wishingAnna married to a farmer, she told me. That'd be a swate match, surely!Would you have a fine girl the like of Anna lying down at nights with amuddy scut stinking of pigs and dung? Or would you have her tied forlife to the like of them skinny, shrivelled swabs does be working incities?

CHRIS--Dat's lie, you fool!

BURKE--'Tis not. 'Tis your own mad notions I'm after telling. But youknow the truth in your heart, if great fear of the sea has made you aliar and coward itself. [Pounding the table. ] The sea's the only lifefor a man with guts in him isn't afraid of his own shadow! 'Tis only onthe sea he's free, and him roving the face of the world, seeing allthings, and not giving a damn for saving up money, or stealing from hisfriends, or any of the black tricks that a landlubber'd waste his lifeon. 'Twas yourself knew it once, and you a bo'sun for years. 

CHRIS--[Sputtering with rage. ] You vas crazy fool, Ay tal you!

BURKE--You've swallowed the anchor. The sea give you a clout onceknocked you down, and you're not man enough to get up for another, butlie there for the rest of your life howling bloody murder. [Proudly. ]Isn't it myself the sea has nearly drowned, and me battered and batetill I was that close to hell I could hear the flames roaring, andnever a groan out of me till the sea gave up and it seeing the greatstrength and guts of a man was in me?

CHRIS--[Scornfully. ] Yes, you vas hell of fallar, hear you tal it!

BURKE--[Angrily. ] You'll be calling me a liar once too often, me oldbucko! Wasn't the whole story of it and my picture itself in thenewspapers of Boston a week back? [Looking CHRIS up and downbelittlingly. ] Sure I'd like to see you in the best of your youth dothe like of what I done in the storm and after. 'Tis a mad lunatic, screeching with fear, you'd be this minute!

CHRIS--Ho-ho! You vas young fool! In ole years when Ay was onwindyammer, Ay vas through hundred storms vorse'n dat! Ships vas shipsden--and men dat sail on dem vas real men. And now what you gat onsteamers? You gat fallars on deck don't know ship from mudscow. [With ameaning glance at BURKE. ] And below deck you gat fallars yust know howfor shovel coal--might yust as veil vork on coal vagon ashore!

BURKE--[Stung--angrily. ] Is it casting insults at the men in thestokehole ye are, ye old ape? God stiffen you! Wan of them is worth anyten stock-fish-swilling Square-heads ever shipped on a windbag!

CHRIS--[His face working with rage, his hand going back to thesheath-knife on his hip. ] Irish svine, you!

BURKE--[Tauntingly. ] Don't ye like the Irish, ye old babboon? 'Tis thatyou're needing in your family, I'm telling you--an Irishman and a manof the stokehole--to put guts in it so that you'll not be havinggrandchildren would be fearful cowards and jackasses the like ofyourself!

CHRIS--[Half rising from his chair--in a voice choked with rage. ] Youlook out!

BURKE--[Watching him intently--a mocking smile on his lips. ] And it'sthat you'll be having, no matter what you'll do to prevent; for Annaand me'll be married this day, and no old fool the like of you willstop us when I've made up my mind. 

CHRIS--[With a hoarse cry. ] You don't! [He throws himself at BURKE, knife in hand, knocking his chair over backwards. BURKE springs to hisfeet quickly in time to meet the attack. He laughs with the pure loveof battle. The old Swede is like a child in his hands. BURKE does notstrike or mistreat him in any way, but simply twists his right handbehind his back and forces the knife from his fingers. He throws theknife into a far corner of the room--tauntingly. ]

BURKE--Old men is getting childish shouldn't play with knives. [Holdingthe struggling CHRIS at arm's length--with a sudden rush of anger, drawing back his fist. ] I've half a mind to hit you a great clout willput sense in your square head. Kape off me now, I'm warning you! [Hegives CHRIS a push with the flat of his hand which sends the old Swedestaggering back against the cabin wall, where he remains standing, panting heavily, his eyes fixed on BURKE with hatred, as if he wereonly collecting his strength to rush at him again. ]

BURKE--[Warningly. ] Now don't be coming at me again, I'm saying, orI'll flatten you on the floor with a blow, if 'tis Anna's father youare itself! I've no patience left for you. [Then with an amused laugh. ]Well, 'tis a bold old man you are just the same, and I'd never think itwas in you to come tackling me alone. [A shadow crosses the cabinwindows. Both men start. ANNA appears in the doorway. ]

ANNA--[With pleased surprise as she sees BURKE. ] Hello, Mat. Are youhere already? I was down--[She stops, looking from one to the other, sensing immediately that something has happened. ] What's up? [Thennoticing the overturned chair--in alarm. ] How'd that chair get knockedover? [Turning on BURKE reproachfully. ] You ain't been fighting withhim, Mat--after you promised?

BURKE--[His old self again. ] I've not laid a hand on him, Anna. [Hegoes and picks up the chair, then turning on the still questioningANNA--with a reassuring smile. ] Let you not be worried at all. 'Twasonly a bit of an argument we was having to pass the time till you'dcome. 

ANNA--It must have been some argument when you got to throwing chairs. [She turns on CHRIS. ] Why don't you say something? What was it about?

CHRIS--[Relaxing at last--avoiding her eyes--sheepishly. ] Ve vastalking about ships and fallars on sea. 

ANNA--[With a relieved smile. ] Oh--the old stuff, eh?

BURKE--[Suddenly seeming to come to a bold decision--with a defiantgrin at CHRIS. ] He's not after telling you the whole of it. We wasarguing about you mostly. 

ANNA--[With a frown. ] About me?

BURKE--And we'll be finishing it out right here and now in yourpresence if you're willing. [He sits down at the left of table. ]

ANNA--[Uncertainly--looking from him to her father. ] Sure. Tell me whatit's all about. 

CHRIS--[Advancing toward the table--protesting to BURKE. ] No! You don'tdo dat, you! You tal him you don't vant for hear him talk, Anna. 

ANNA--But I do. I want this cleared up. 

CHRIS--[Miserably afraid now. ] Vell, not now, anyvay. You vas goingashore, yes? You ain't got time--

ANNA--[Firmly. ] Yes, right here and now. [She turns to BURKE. ] You tellme, Mat, since he don't want to. 

BURKE--[Draws a deep breath--then plunges in boldly. ] The whole of it'sin a few words only. So's he'd make no mistake, and him hating thesight of me, I told him in his teeth I loved you. [Passionately. ] Andthat's God truth, Anna, and well you know it!

CHRIS--[Scornfully--forcing a laugh. ] Ho-ho! He tal same tang to gelevery port he go!

ANNA--[Shrinking from her father with repulsion--resentfully. ] Shut up, can't you? [Then to BURKE--feelingly. ] I know it's true, Mat. I don'tmind what he says. 

BURKE--[Humbly grateful. ] God bless you!

ANNA--And then what?

BURKE--And then--[Hesitatingly. ] And then I said--[He looks at herpleadingly. ] I said I was sure--I told him I thought you have a bit oflove for me, too. [Passionately. ] Say you do, Anna! Let you not destroyme entirely, for the love of God! [He grasps both her hands in his two. ]

ANNA--[Deeply moved and troubled--forcing a trembling laugh. ] So youtold him that, Mat? No wonder he was mad. [Forcing out the words. ]Well, maybe it's true, Mat. Maybe I do. I been thinking and thinking--Ididn't want to, Mat, I'll own up to that--I tried to cut itout--but--[She laughs helplessly. ] I guess I can't help it anyhow. So Iguess I do, Mat. [Then with a sudden joyous defiance. ] Sure I do!What's the use of kidding myself different? Sure I love you, Mat!

CHRIS--[With a cry of pain. ] Anna! [He sits crushed. ]

BURKE--[With a great depth of sincerity in his humble gratitude. ] Godbe praised!

ANNA--[Assertively. ] And I ain't never loved a man in my life before, you can always believe that--no matter what happens. 

BURKE--[Goes over to her and puts his arms around her. ] Sure I do bebelieving ivery word you iver said or iver will say. And 'tis you andme will be having a grand, beautiful life together to the end of ourdays! [He tries to kiss her. At first she turns away her head--then, overcome by a fierce impulse of passionate love, she takes his head inboth her hands and holds his face close to hers, staring into his eyes. Then she kisses him full on the lips. ]

ANNA--[Pushing him away from her--forcing a broken laugh. ] Good-bye. [She walks to the doorway in rear--stands with her back toward them, looking out. Her shoulders quiver once or twice as if she were fightingback her sobs. ]

BURKE--[Too in the seventh heaven of bliss to get any correctinterpretation of her word--with a laugh. ] Good-bye, is it? The divilyou say! I'll be coming back at you in a second for more of the same![To CHRIS, who has quickened to instant attention at his daughter'sgood-bye, and has looked back at her with a stirring of foolish hope inhis eyes. ] Now, me old bucko, what'll you be saying? You heard thewords from her own lips. Confess I've bate you. Own up like a man whenyou're bate fair and square. And here's my hand to you--[Holds out hishand. ] And let you take it and we'll shake and forget what's over anddone, and be friends from this out. 

CHRIS--[With implacable hatred. ] Ay don't shake hands vith youfallar--not vhile Ay live!

BURKE--[Offended. ] The back of my hand to you then, if that suits youbetter. [Growling. ] 'Tis a rotten bad loser you are, divil mend you!

CHRIS--Ay don't lose--[Trying to be scornful and self-convincing. ] Annasay she like you little bit but you don't hear her say she marry you, Ay bet. [At the sound of her name ANNA has turned round to them. Herface is composed and calm again, but it is the dead calm of despair. ]

BURKE--[Scornfully. ] No, and I wasn't hearing her say the sun isshining either. 

CHRIS--[Doggedly. ] Dat's all right. She don't say it, yust same. 

ANNA--[Quietly--coming forward to them. ] No, I didn't say it, Mat. 

CHRIS--[Eagerly. ] Dere! You hear!

BURKE--[Misunderstanding her--with a grin. ] You're waiting till you dobe asked, you mane? Well, I'm asking you now. And we'll be married thisday, with the help of God!

ANNA--[Gently. ] You heard what I said, Mat--after I kissed you?

BURKE--[Alarmed by something in her manner. ] No--I disremember. 

ANNA--I said good-bye. [Her voice trembling. ] That kiss was forgood-bye, Mat. 

BURKE--[Terrified. ] What d'you mane?

ANNA--I can't marry you, Mat--and we've said good-bye. That's all. 

CHRIS--[Unable to hold back his exultation. ] Ay know it! Ay know datvas so!

BURKE--[Jumping to his feet--unable to believe his ears. ] Anna! Is itmaking game of me you'd be? 'Tis a quare time to joke with me, anddon't be doing it, for the love of God. 

ANNA--[Looking him in the eyes--steadily. ] D'you think I'd kid you now?No, I'm not joking, Mat. I mean what I said. 

BURKE--Ye don't! Ye can't! 'Tis mad you are. I'm telling you!

ANNA--[Fixedly. ] No I'm not. 

BURKE--[Desperately. ] But what's come over you so sudden? You wassaying you loved me--

ANNA--I'll say that as often as you want me to. It's true. 

BURKE--[Bewilderedly. ] Then why--what, in the divil's name--Oh, Godhelp me, I can't make head or tail to it at all!

ANNA--Because it's the best way out I can figure, Mat. [Her voicecatching. ] I been thinking it over and thinking it over day and nightall week. Don't think it ain't hard on me, too, Mat. 

BURKE--For the love of God, tell me then, what is it that's preventingyou wedding me when the two of us has love? [Suddenly getting an ideaand pointing at CHRIS--exasperatedly. ] Is it giving heed to the like ofthat old fool ye are, and him hating me and filling your ears full ofbloody lies against me?

CHRIS--[Getting to his feet--raging triumphantly before ANNA has achance to get in a word. ] Yes, Anna believe me, not you! She know herold fa'der don't lie like you. 

ANNA--[Turning on her father angrily. ] You sit down, d'you hear? Wheredo you come in butting in and making things worse? You're like a devil, you are! [Harshly. ] Good Lord, and I was beginning to like you, beginning to forget all I've got held up against you!

CHRIS--[Crushed--feebly. ] You ain't got nutting for hold against me, Anna. 

ANNA--Ain't I yust! Well, lemme tell you--[She glances at BURKE andstops abruptly. ] Say, Mat, I'm s'prised at you. You didn't thinkanything he'd said--

BURKE--[Glumly. ] Sure, what else would it be?

ANNA--Think I've ever paid any attention to all his crazy bull? Gee, you must take me for a five-year-old kid. 

BURKE--[Puzzled and beginning to be irritated at her too. ] I don't knowhow to take you, with your saying this one minute and that the next. 

ANNA--Well, he has nothing to do with it. 

BURKE--Then what is it has? Tell me, and don't keep me waiting andsweating blood. 

ANNA--[Resolutely] I can't tell you--and I won't. I got a goodreason--and that's all you need to know. I can't marry you, that's allthere is to it. [Distractedly. ] So, for Gawd's sake, let's talk ofsomething else. 

BURKE--I'll not! [Then fearfully. ] Is it married to someone else youare--in the West maybe?

ANNA--[Vehemently. ] I should say not. 

BURKE--[Regaining his courage. ] To the divil with all other reasonsthen. They don't matter with me at all. [He gets to his feetconfidently, assuming a masterful tone. ] I'm thinking you're the likeof them women can't make up their mind till they're drove to it. Well, then, I'll make up your mind for you bloody quick. [He takes her by thearms, grinning to soften his serious bullying. ] We've had enough oftalk! Let you be going into your room now and be dressing in your bestand we'll be going ashore. 

CHRIS--[Aroused--angrily. ] No, py God, she don't do that! [Takes holdof her arm. ]

ANNA--[Who has listened to BURKE in astonishment. She draws away fromhim, instinctively repelled by his tone, but not exactly sure if he isserious or not--a trace of resentment in her voice. ] Say, where do youget that stuff?

BURKE--[Imperiously. ] Never mind, now! Let you go get dressed, I'msaying, [Then turning to CHRIS. ] We'll be seeing who'll win in theend--me or you. 

CHRIS--[To ANNA--also in an authoritative tone. ] You stay right here, Anna, you hear! [ANNA stands looking from one to the other of them asif she thought they had both gone crazy. Then the expression of herface freezes into the hardened sneer of her experience. ]

BURKE--[Violently. ] She'll not! She'll do what I say! You've had yourhold on her long enough. It's my turn now. 

ANNA--[With a hard laugh. ] Your turn? Say, what am I, anyway?

BURKE--'Tis not what you are, 'tis what you're going to be thisday--and that's wedded to me before night comes. Hurry up now with yourdressing. 

CHRIS--[Commandingly. ] You don't do one tang he say, Anna! [ANNA laughsmockingly. ]

BURKE--She will, so!

CHRIS--Ay tal you she don't! Ay'm her fa'der. 

BURKE--She will in spite of you. She's taking my orders from this out, not yours. 

ANNA--[Laughing again. ] Orders is good!

BURKE--[Turning to her impatiently. ] Hurry up now, and shake a leg. We've no time to be wasting. [Irritated as she doesn't move. ] Do youhear what I'm telling you?

CHRIS--You stay dere, Anna!

ANNA--[At the end of her patience--blazing out at them passionately. ]You can go to hell, both of you! [There is something in her tone thatmakes them forget their quarrel and turn to her in a stunned amazement. ANNA laughs wildly. ] You're just like all the rest of them--you two!Gawd, you'd think I was a piece of furniture! I'll show you! Sit downnow! [As they hesitate--furiously. ] Sit down and let me talk for aminute. You're all wrong, see? Listen to me! I'm going to tell yousomething--and then I'm going to beat it. [To BURKE--with a harshlaugh. ] I'm going to tell you a funny story, so pay attention. [Pointing to CHRIS. ] I've been meaning to turn it loose on him everytime he'd get my goat with his bull about keeping me safe inland. Iwasn't going to tell you, but you've forced me into it. What's the dif?It's all wrong anyway, and you might as well get cured that way as anyother. [With hard mocking. ] Only don't forget what you said a minuteago about it not mattering to you what other reason I got so long as Iwasn't married to no one else. 

BURKE--[Manfully. ] That's my word, and I'll stick to it!

ANNA--[Laughing bitterly. ] What a chance! You make me laugh, honest!Want to bet you will? Wait 'n see! [She stands at the table rear, looking from one to the other of the two men with her hard, mockingsmile. Then she begins, fighting to control her emotion and speakcalmly. ] First thing is, I want to tell you two guys something. You wasgoing on's if one of you had got to own me. But nobody owns me, see?--'cepting myself. I'll do what I please and no man, I don't give ahoot who he is, can tell me what to do! I ain't asking either of youfor a living. I can make it myself--one way or other. I'm my own boss. So put that in your pipe and smoke it! You and your orders!

BURKE--[Protestingly. ] I wasn't meaning it that way at all and well youknow it. You've no call to be raising this rumpus with me. [Pointing toCHRIS. ] 'Tis him you've a right--

ANNA--I'm coming to him. But you--you did mean it that way, too. Yousounded--yust like all the rest. [Hysterically. ] But, damn it, shut up!Let me talk for a change!

BURKE--'Tis quare, rough talk, that--for a dacent girl the like of you!

ANNA--[With a hard laugh. ] Decent? Who told you I was? [CHRIS issitting with bowed shoulders, his head in his hands. She leans over inexasperation and shakes him violently by the shoulder. ] Don't go tosleep, Old Man! Listen here, I'm talking to you now!

CHRIS--[Straightening up and looking about as if he were seeking a wayto escape--with frightened foreboding in his voice. ] Ay don't vant forhear it. You vas going out of head, Ay tank, Anna. 

ANNA--[Violently. ] Well, living with you is enough to drive anyone offtheir nut. Your bunk about the farm being so fine! Didn't I write youyear after year how rotten it was and what a dirty slave them cousinsmade of me? What'd you care? Nothing! Not even enough to come out andsee me! That crazy bull about wanting to keep me away from the seadon't go down with me! You yust didn't want to be bothered with me!You're like all the rest of 'em!

CHRIS--[Feebly. ] Anna! It ain't so--

ANNA--[Not heeding his interruption--revengefully. ] But one thing Inever wrote you. It was one of them cousins that you think is such nicepeople--the youngest son--Paul--that started me wrong. [Loudly. ] Itwasn't none of my fault. I hated him worse 'n hell and he knew it. Buthe was big and strong--[Pointing to Burke]--like you!

BURKE--[Half springing to his feet--his fists clenched, ] God blarst it![He sinks slowly back in his chair again, the knuckles showing white onhis clenched hands, his face tense with the effort to suppress hisgrief and rage. ]

CHRIS--[In a cry of horrified pain. ] Anna!

ANNA--[To him--seeming not to have heard their interruptions. ] That waswhy I run away from the farm. That was what made me get a yob as nursegirl in St. Paul. [With a hard, mocking laugh. ] And you think that wasa nice yob for a girl, too, don't you? [Sarcastically. ] With all themnice inland fellers yust looking for a chance to marry me, I s'pose. Marry me? What a chance! They wasn't looking for marrying. [As BURKElets a groan of fury escape him--desperately. ] I'm owning up toeverything fair and square. I was caged in, I tell you--yust like inyail--taking care of other people's kids--listening to 'em bawling andcrying day and night--when I wanted to be out--and I waslonesome--lonesome as hell! [With a sudden weariness in her voice. ] SoI give up finally. What was the use? [She stops and looks at the twomen. Both are motionless and silent. CHRIS seems in a stupor ofdespair, his house of cards fallen about him. BURKE's face is lividwith the rage that is eating him up, but he is too stunned andbewildered yet to find a vent for it. The condemnation she feels intheir silence goads ANNA into a harsh, strident defiance. ] You don'tsay nothing--either of you--but I know what you're thinking. You'relike all the rest! [To CHRIS--furiously. ] And who's to blame for it, meor you? If you'd even acted like a man--if you'd even been a regularfather and had me with you--maybe things would be different!

CHRIS--[In agony. ] Don't talk dat vay, Anna! Ay go crazy! Ay von'tlisten! [Puts his hands over his ears. ]

ANNA--[Infuriated by his action--stridently. ] You will too listen! [Sheleans over and pulls his hands from his ears--with hysterical rage. ]You--keeping me safe inland--I wasn't no nurse girl the last twoyears--I lied when I wrote you--I was in a house, that's what!--yes, that kind of a house--the kind sailors like you and Mat goes to inport--and your nice inland men, too--and all men, God damn 'em! I hate'em! Hate 'em! [She breaks into hysterical sobbing, throwing herselfinto the chair and hiding her face in her hands on the table. The twomen have sprung to their feet. ]

CHRIS--[Whimpering like a child. ] Anna! Anna! It's lie! It's lie! [Hestands wringing his hands together and begins to weep. ]

BURKE--[His whole great body tense like a spring--dully and gropingly. ]So that's what's in it!

ANNA--[Raising her head at the sound of his voice--with extreme mockingbitterness. ] I s'pose you remember your promise, Mat? No other reasonwas to count with you so long as I wasn't married already. So I s'poseyou want me to get dressed and go ashore, don't you? [She laughs. ] Yes, you do!

BURKE--[On the verge of his outbreak--stammeringly. ] God stiffen you!

ANNA--[Trying to keep up her hard, bitter tone, but gradually letting anote of pitiful pleading creep in. ] I s'pose if I tried to tell you Iwasn't--that--no more you'd believe me, wouldn't you? Yes, you would!And if I told you that yust getting out in this barge, and being on thesea had changed me and made me feel different about things, 's if allI'd been through wasn't me and didn't count and was yust like it neverhappened--you'd laugh, wouldn't you? And you'd die laughing sure if Isaid that meeting you that funny way that night in the fog, andafterwards seeing that you was straight goods stuck on me, had got meto thinking for the first time, and I sized you up as a different kindof man--a sea man as different from the ones on land as water is frommud--and that was why I got stuck on you, too. I wanted to marry youand fool you, but I couldn't. Don't you see how I'd changed? I couldn'tmarry you with you believing a lie--and I was shamed to tell you thetruth--till the both of you forced my hand, and I seen you was the sameas all the rest. And now, give me a bawling out and beat it, like I cantell you're going to. [She stops, looking at BURKE. He is silent, hisface averted, his features beginning to work with fury. She pleadspassionately. ] Will you believe it if I tell you that loving you hasmade me--clean? It's the straight goods, honest! [Then as he doesn'treply--bitterly. ] Like hell you will! You're like all the rest!

BURKE--[Blazing out--turning on her in a perfect frenzy of rage--hisvoice trembling with passion. ] The rest, is it? God's curse on you!Clane, is it? You slut, you, I'll be killing you now! [He picks up thechair on which he has been sitting and, swinging it high over hisshoulder, springs toward her. CHRIS rushes forward with a cry of alarm, trying to ward off the blow from his daughter. ANNA looks up intoBURKE'S eyes with the fearlessness of despair. BURKE checks himself, the chair held in the air. ]

CHRIS--[Wildly. ] Stop, you crazy fool! You vant for murder her!

ANNA--[Pushing her father away brusquely, her eyes still holdingBURKE'S. ] Keep out of this, you! [To BURKE--dully. ] Well, ain't you gotthe nerve to do it? Go ahead! I'll be thankful to you, honest. I'm sickof the whole game. 

BURKE--[Throwing the chair away into a corner of the room--helplessly. ]I can't do it, God help me, and your two eyes looking at me. [Furiously. ] Though I do be thinking I'd have a good right to smashyour skull like a rotten egg. Was there iver a woman in the world hadthe rottenness in her that you have, and was there iver a man the likeof me was made the fool of the world, and me thinking thoughts aboutyou, and having great love for you, and dreaming dreams of the finelife we'd have when we'd be wedded! [His voice high pitched in alamentation that is like a keen]. Yerra, God help me! I'm destroyedentirely and my heart is broken in bits! I'm asking God Himself, was itfor this He'd have me roaming the earth since I was a lad only, to cometo black shame in the end, where I'd be giving a power of love to awoman is the same as others you'd meet in any hooker-shanty in port, with red gowns on them and paint on their grinning mugs, would besleeping with any man for a dollar or two!

ANNA--[In a scream. ] Don't, Mat! For Gawd's sake! [Then raging andpounding on the table with her hands. ] Get out of here! Leave me alone!Get out of here!

BURKE--[His anger rushing back on him. ] I'll be going, surely! And I'llbe drinking sloos of whiskey will wash that black kiss of yours off mylips; and I'll be getting dead rotten drunk so I'll not remember if'twas iver born you was at all; and I'll be shipping away on some boatwill take me to the other end of the world where I'll never see yourface again! [He turns toward the door]

CHRIS--[Who has been standing in a stupor--suddenly grasping BURKE bythe arm--stupidly] No, you don't go. Ay tank maybe it's better Annamarry you now. 

BURKE--[Shaking CHRIS off--furiously] Lave go of me, ye old ape! Marryher, is it? I'd see her roasting in hell first! I'm shipping away outof this, I'm telling you! [Pointing to Anna--passionately] And my curseon you and the curse of Almighty God and all the Saints! You'vedestroyed me this day and may you lie awake in the long nights, tormented with thoughts of Mat Burke and the great wrong you've donehim!

ANNA--[In anguish] Mat! [But he turns without another word and stridesout of the doorway. ANNA looks after him wildly, starts to run afterhim, then hides her face in her outstretched arms, sobbing. CHRISstands in a stupor, staring at the floor. ]

CHRIS--[After a pause, dully. ] Ay tank Ay go ashore, too. 

ANNA--[Looking up, wildly. ] Not after him! Let him go! Don't you dare--

CHRIS--[Somberly. ] Ay go for gat drink. 

ANNA--[With a harsh laugh. ] So I'm driving you to drink, too, eh? Is'pose you want to get drunk so's you can forget--like him?

CHRIS--[Bursting out angrily. ] Yes, Ay vant! You tank Ay like hear demtangs. [Breaking down--weeping. ] Ay tank you vasn't dat kind of gel, Anna. 

ANNA--[Mockingly. ] And I s'pose you want me to beat it, don't you? Youdon't want me here disgracing you, I s'pose?

CHRIS--No, you stay here! [Goes over and pats her on the shoulder, thetears running down his face. ] Ain't your fault, Anna, Ay know dat. [Shelooks up at him, softened. He bursts into rage. ] It's dat ole davil, sea, do this to me! [He shakes his fist at the door. ] It's her dirtytricks! It vas all right on barge with yust you and me. Den she bringdat Irish fallar in fog, she make you like him, she make you fight withme all time! If dat Irish fallar don't never come, you don't never talme dem tangs, Ay don't never know, and every tang's all right. [Heshakes his fist again, ] Dirty ole davil!

ANNA--[With spent weariness. ] Oh, what's the use? Go on ashore and getdrunk. 

CHRIS--[Goes into room on left and gets his cap. He goes to the door, silent and stupid--then turns. ] You vait here, Anna?

ANNA--[Dully] Maybe--and maybe not. Maybe I'll get drunk, too. MaybeI'll--But what the hell do you care what I do? Go on and beat it. [CHRIS turns stupidly and goes out. ANNA sits at the table, staringstraight in front of her. ]

[The Curtain Falls]

ACT IV

SCENE--Same as Act Three, about nine o'clock of a foggy night two dayslater. The whistles of steamers in the harbor can be heard. The cabinis lighted by a small lamp on the table. A suitcase stands in themiddle of the floor. ANNA is sitting in the rocking-chair. She wears ahat, is all dressed up as in Act One. Her face is pale, looks terriblytired and worn, as if the two days just past had been ones of sufferingand sleepless nights. She stares before her despondently, her chin inher hands. There is a timid knock on the door in rear. ANNA jumps toher feet with a startled exclamation and looks toward the door with anexpression of mingled hope and fear. 

ANNA--[Faintly. ] Come in. [Then summoning her courage--moreresolutely. ] Come in. [The door is opened and CHRIS appears in thedoorway. He is in a very bleary, bedraggled condition, suffering fromthe after effects of his drunk. A tin pail full of foaming beer is inhis hand. He comes forward, his eyes avoiding ANNA'S. He muttersstupidly. ] It's foggy. 

ANNA--[Looking him over with contempt. ] So you come back at last, didyou? You're a fine looking sight! [Then jeeringly. ] I thought you'dbeaten it for good on account of the disgrace I'd brought on you. 

CHRIS--[Wincing-faintly. ] Don't say dat, Anna, please! [He sits in achair by the table, setting down the can of beer, holding his head inhis hands]

ANNA--[Looks at him with a certain sympathy. ] What's the trouble?Feeling sick?

CHRIS--[Dully. ] Inside my head feel sick. 

ANNA--Well, what d'you expect after being soused for two days?[Resentfully. ] It serves you right. A fine thing--you leaving me aloneon this barge all that time!

CHRIS--[Humbly. ] Ay'm sorry, Anna. 

ANNA--[Scornfully] Sorry!

CHRIS--But Ay'm not sick inside head vay you mean. Ay'm sick from tanktoo much about you, about me. 

ANNA--And how about me? D'you suppose I ain't been thinking, too?

CHRIS--Ay'm sorry, Anna. [He sees her bag and gives a start] You packyour bag, Anna? You vas going--?

ANNA--[Forcibly. ] Yes, I was going right back to what you think. 

CHRIS--Anna!

ANNA--I went ashore to get a train for New York. I'd been waiting andwaiting 'till I was sick of it. Then I changed my mind and decided notto go to-day. But I'm going first thing to-morrow, so it'll all be thesame in the end. 

CHRIS--[Raising his head--pleadingly] No, you never do dat, Anna!

ANNA--[With a sneer. ] Why not, I'd like to know?

CHRIS--You don't never gat to do--dat vay--no more, Ay tal you. Ay fixdat up all right. 

ANNA--[Suspiciously. ] Fix what up?

CHRIS--[Not seeming to have heard her question--sadly. ] You vasvaiting, you say? You vasn't vaiting for me, Ay bet. 

ANNA--[Callously. ] You'd win. 

CHRIS--For dat Irish fallar?

ANNA--[Defiantly. ] Yes--if you want to know! [Then with a forlornlaugh. ] If he did come back it'd only because he wanted to beat me upor kill me, I suppose. But even if he did, I'd rather have him comethan not show up at all. I wouldn't care what he did. 

CHRIS--Ay guess it's true you vas in love with him all right. 

ANNA--You guess!

CHRIS--[Turning to her earnestly. ] And Ay'm sorry for you like hell hedon't come, Anna!

ANNA--[Softened. ] Seems to me you've changed your tune a lot. 

CHRIS--Ay've been tanking, and Ay guess it vas all my fault--all badtangs dat happen to you. [Pleadingly. ] You try for not hate me, Anna. Ay'm crazy ole fool, dat's all. 

ANNA--Who said I hated you?

CHRIS--Ay'm sorry for everytang Ay do wrong for you, Anna. Ay vant foryou be happy all rest of your life for make up! It make you happy marrydat Irish fallar, Ay vant it, too. 

ANNA--[Dully. ]--Well, there ain't no chance. But I'm glad you thinkdifferent about it, anyway. 

CHRIS--[Supplicatingly. ] And you tank--maybe--you forgive me sometime?

ANNA--[With a wan smile. ] I'll forgive you right now. 

CHRIS--[Seizing her hand and kissing it--brokenly. ] Anna lilla! Annalilla!

ANNA--[Touched but a bit embarrassed. ] Don't bawl about it. There ain'tnothing to forgive, anyway. It ain't your fault, and it ain't mine, andit ain't his neither. We're all poor nuts, and things happen, and weyust get mixed in wrong, that's all. 

CHRIS--[Eagerly. ] You say right tang, Anna, py golly! It ain't nobody'sfault! [Shaking his fist. ] It's dat ole davil, sea!

ANNA--[With an exasperated laugh. ] Gee, won't you ever can that stuff?[CHRIS relapses into injured silence. After a pause ANNA continuescuriously. ] You said a minute ago you'd fixed something up--about me. What was it?

CHRIS--[After a hesitating pause. ] Ay'm shipping avay on sea again, Anna. 

ANNA--[Astounded. ] You're--what?

CHRIS--Ay sign on steamer sail to-morrow. Ay gat my ole yob--bo'sun. [ANNA stares at him. As he goes on, a bitter smile comes over herface. ] Ay tank dat's best tang for you. Ay only bring you bad luck, Aytank. Ay make your mo'der's life sorry. Ay don't vant make yours datway, but Ay do yust same. Dat ole davil, sea, she make me Yonah manain't no good for nobody. And Ay tank now it ain't no use fight withsea. No man dat live going to beat her, py yingo!

ANNA--[With a laugh of helpless bitterness. ] So that's how you've fixedme, is it?

CHRIS--Yes, Ay tank if dat ole davil gat me back she leave you aloneden. 

ANNA--[Bitterly. ] But, for Gawd's sake, don't you see, you're doing thesame thing you've always done? Don't you see--? [But she sees the lookof obsessed stubbornness on her father's face and gives it uphelplessly. ] But what's the use of talking. You ain't right, that'swhat. I'll never blame you for nothing no more. But how you couldfigure out that was fixing me--!

CHRIS--Dat ain't all. Ay gat dem fallars in steam-ship office to payyou all money coming to me every month vhile Ay'm avay. 

ANNA--[With a hard laugh. ] Thanks. But I guess I won't be hard up forno small change. 

CHRIS--[Hurt--humbly. ] It ain't much, Ay know, but it's plenty for keepyou so you never gat go. 

ANNA--[Shortly. ] Shut up, will you? We'll talk about it later, see?

CHRIS--[After a pause--ingratiatingly. ] You like Ay go ashore look fordat Irish fallar, Anna?

ANNA--[Angrily. ] Not much! Think I want to drag him back?

CHRIS--[After a pause--uncomfortably. ] Py golly, dat booze don't goveil. Give me fever, Ay tank, Ay feel hot like hell. [He takes off hiscoat and lets it drop on the floor. There is a loud thud. ]

ANNA--[With a start. ] What you got in your pocket, for Pete's sake--aton of lead? [She reaches down, takes the coat and pulls out arevolver--looks from it to him in amazement. ] A gun? What were youdoing with this?

CHRIS--[Sheepishly. ] Ay forgat. Ain't nutting. Ain't loaded, anyvay. 

ANNA--[Breaking it open to make sure--then closing it again--looking athim suspiciously. ] That ain't telling me why you got it?

CHRIS--[Sheepishly. ] Ay'm ole fool. Ay gat it vhen Ay go ashore first. Ay tank den it's all fault of dat Irish fallar. 

ANNA--[With a shudder. ] Say, you're crazier than I thought. I neverdreamt you'd go that far. 

CHRIS--[Quickly. ] Ay don't. Ay gat better sense right avay. Ay don'tnever buy bullets even. It ain't his fault, Ay know. 

ANNA--[Still suspicious of him. ] Well, I'll take care of this for awhile, loaded or not. [She puts it in the drawer of table and closesthe drawer. ]

CHRIS--[Placatingly. ] Throw it overboard if you vant. Ay don't care, [Then after a pause. ] Py golly, Ay tank Ay go lie down. Ay feel sick. [ANNA takes a magazine from the table. CHRIS hesitates by her chair. ]Ve talk again before Ay go, yes?

ANNA--[Dully. ] Where's this ship going to?

CHRIS--Cape Town. Dat's in South Africa. She's British steamer calledLondonderry. [He stands hesitatingly--finally blurts out. ] Anna--youforgive me sure?

ANNA--[Wearily. ] Sure I do. You ain't to blame. You're yust--what youare--like me. 

CHRIS--[Pleadingly. ] Den--you lat me kiss you again once?

ANNA--[Raising her face--forcing a wan smile. ] Sure. No hard feelings. 

CHRIS--[Kisses her--brokenly. ] Anna lilla! Ay--[He fights for words toexpress himself, but finds none--miserably--with a sob. ] Ay can't sayit. Good-night, Anna. 

ANNA--Good-night. [He picks up the can of beer and goes slowly into theroom on left, his shoulders bowed, his head sunk forward dejectedly. Hecloses the door after him. ANNA turns over the pages of the magazine, trying desperately to banish her thoughts by looking at the pictures. This fails to distract her, and flinging the magazine back on thetable, she springs to her feet and walks about the cabin distractedly, clenching and unclenching her hands. She speaks aloud to herself in atense, trembling voice. ] Gawd, I can't stand this much longer! What amI waiting for anyway?--like a damn fool! [She laughs helplessly, thenchecks herself abruptly, as she hears the sound of heavy footsteps onthe deck outside. She appears to recognize these and her face lights upwith joy. She gasps:] Mat! [A strange terror seems suddenly to seizeher. She rushes to the table, takes the revolver out of drawer andcrouches down in the corner, left, behind the cupboard. A moment laterthe door is flung open and MAT BURKE appears in the doorway. He is inbad shape--his clothes torn and dirty, covered with sawdust as if hehad been grovelling or sleeping on barroom floors. There is a redbruise on his forehead over one of his eyes, another over onecheekbone, his knuckles are skinned and raw--plain evidence of thefighting he has been through on his "bat. " His eyes are bloodshot andheavy-lidded, his face has a bloated look. But beyond theseappearances--the results of heavy drinking--there is an expression inhis eyes of wild mental turmoil, of impotent animal rage baffled by itsown abject misery. ]

BURKE--[Peers blinkingly about the cabin--hoarsely. ] Let you not behiding from me, whoever's here--though 'tis well you know I'd have aright to come back and murder you. [He stops to listen. Hearing nosound, he closes the door behind him and comes forward to the table. Hethrows himself into the rocking-chair--despondently. ] There's no onehere, I'm thinking, and 'tis a great fool I am to be coming. [With asort of dumb, uncomprehending anguish. ] Yerra, Mat Burke, 'tis a greatjackass you've become and what's got into you at all, at all? She'sgone out of this long ago, I'm telling you, and you'll never see herface again. [ANNA stands up, hesitating, struggling between joy andfear. BURKE'S eyes fall on ANNA'S bag. He leans over to examine it. ]What's this? [Joyfully. ] It's hers. She's not gone! But where is she?Ashore? [Darkly. ] What would she be doing ashore on this rotten night?[His face suddenly convulsed with grief and rage. ] 'Tis that, is it?Oh, God's curse on her! [Raging. ] I'll wait 'till she comes and chokeher dirty life out. [ANNA starts, her face grows hard. She steps intothe room, the revolver in her right hand by her side. ]

ANNA--[In a cold, hard tone. ] What are you doing here?

BURKE--[Wheeling about with a terrified gasp] Glory be to God! [Theyremain motionless and silent for a moment, holding each other's eyes. ]

ANNA--[In the same hard voice] Well, can't you talk?

BURKE--[Trying to fall into an easy, careless tone] You've a year'sgrowth scared out of me, coming at me so sudden and me thinking I wasalone. 

ANNA--You've got your nerve butting in here without knocking ornothing. What d'you want?

BURKE--[Airily] Oh, nothing much. I was wanting to have a last wordwith you, that's all. [He moves a step toward her. ]

ANNA--[Sharply--raising the revolver in her hand. ] Careful now! Don'ttry getting too close. I heard what you said you'd do to me. 

BURKE--[Noticing the revolver for the first time. ] Is it murdering meyou'd be now, God forgive you? [Then with a contemptuous laugh. ] Or isit thinking I'd be frightened by that old tin whistle? [He walksstraight for her. ]

ANNA--[Wildly. ] Look out, I tell you!

BURKE--[Who has come so close that the revolver is almost touching hischest. ] Let you shoot, then! [Then with sudden wild grief. ] Let youshoot, I'm saying, and be done with it! Let you end me with a shot andI'll be thanking you, for it's a rotten dog's life I've lived the pasttwo days since I've known what you are, 'til I'm after wishing I wasnever born at all!

ANNA--[Overcome--letting the revolver drop to the floor, as if herfingers had no strength to hold it--hysterically. ] What d'you wantcoming here? Why don't you beat it? Go on! [She passes him and sinksdown in the rocking-chair. ]

BURKE--[Following her--mournfully. ] 'Tis right you'd be asking why didI come. [Then angrily. ] 'Tis because 'tis a great weak fool of theworld I am, and me tormented with the wickedness you'd told ofyourself, and drinking oceans of booze that'd make me forget. Forget?Divil a word I'd forget, and your face grinning always in front of myeyes, awake or asleep, 'til I do be thinking a madhouse is the properplace for me. 

ANNA--[Glancing at his hands and--face--scornfully] You look like youought to be put away some place. Wonder you wasn't pulled in. You beenscrapping, too, ain't you?

BURKE--I have--with every scut would take off his coat to me![Fiercely. ] And each time I'd be hitting one a clout in the mug, itwasn't his face I'd be seeing at all, but yours, and me wanting todrive you a blow would knock you out of this world where I wouldn't beseeing or thinking more of you. 

ANNA--[Her lips trembling pitifully] Thanks!

BURKE--[Walking up and down--distractedly. ] That's right, make game ofme! Oh, I'm a great coward surely, to be coming back to speak with youat all. You've a right to laugh at me. 

ANNA--I ain't laughing at you, Mat. 

BURKE--[Unheeding. ] You to be what you are, and me to be Mat Burke, andme to be drove back to look at you again! 'Tis black shame is on me!

ANNA--[Resentfully. ] Then get out. No one's holding you!

BURKE--[Bewilderedly] And me to listen to that talk from a woman likeyou and be frightened to close her mouth with a slap! Oh, God help me, I'm a yellow coward for all men to spit at! [Then furiously] But I'llnot be getting out of this 'till I've had me word. [Raising his fistthreateningly] And let you look out how you'd drive me! [Letting hisfist fall helplessly] Don't be angry now! I'm raving like a reallunatic, I'm thinking, and the sorrow you put on me has my brainsdrownded in grief. [Suddenly bending down to her and grasping her armintensely] Tell me it's a lie, I'm saying! That's what I'm after comingto hear you say. 

ANNA--[Dully] A lie? What?

BURKE--[With passionate entreaty] All the badness you told me two daysback. Sure it must be a lie! You was only making game of me, wasn'tyou? Tell me 'twas a lie, Anna, and I'll be saying prayers of thanks onmy two knees to the Almighty God!

ANNA--[Terribly shaken--faintly. ] I can't. Mat. [As he turnsaway--imploringly. ] Oh, Mat, won't you see that no matter what I was Iain't that any more? Why, listen! I packed up my bag this afternoon andwent ashore. I'd been waiting here all alone for two days, thinkingmaybe you'd come back--thinking maybe you'd think over all I'dsaid--and maybe--oh, I don't know what I was hoping! But I was afraidto even go out of the cabin for a second, honest--afraid you might comeand not find me here. Then I gave up hope when you didn't show up and Iwent to the railroad station. I was going to New York. I was goingback--

BURKE--[Hoarsely. ] God's curse on you!

ANNA--Listen, Mat! You hadn't come, and I'd gave up hope. But--in thestation--I couldn't go. I'd bought my ticket and everything. [She takesthe ticket from her dress and tries to hold it before his eyes. ] But Igot to thinking about you--and I couldn't take the train--I couldn't!So I come back here--to wait some more. Oh, Mat, don't you see I'vechanged? Can't you forgive what's dead and gone--and forget it?

BURKE--[Turning on her--overcome by rage again. ] Forget, is it? I'llnot forget 'til my dying day, I'm telling you, and me tormented withthoughts. [In a frenzy. ] Oh, I'm wishing I had wan of them fornenst methis minute and I'd beat him with my fists 'till he'd be a bloodycorpse! I'm wishing the whole lot of them will roast in hell 'til theJudgment Day--and yourself along with them, for you're as bad as theyare. 

ANNA--[Shuddering. ] Mat! [Then after a pause--in a voice of dead, stonycalm. ] Well, you've had your say. Now you better beat it. 

BURKE--[Starts slowly for the door--hesitates--then after a pause. ] Andwhat'll you be doing?

ANNA--What difference does it make to you?

BURKE--I'm asking you!

ANNA--[In the same tone. ] My bag's packed and I got my ticket. I'll goto New York to-morrow. 

BURKE--[Helplessly. ] You mean--you'll be doing the same again?

ANNA--[Stonily. ] Yes. 

BURKE--[In anguish. ] You'll not! Don't torment me with that talk! 'Tisa she-divil you are sent to drive me mad entirely!

ANNA--[Her voice breaking. ] Oh, for Gawd's sake, Mat, leave me alone!Go away! Don't you see I'm licked? Why d'you want to keep on kicking me?

BURKE--[Indignantly. ] And don't you deserve the worst I'd say, Godforgive you?

ANNA--All right. Maybe I do. But don't rub it in. Why ain't you donewhat you said you was going to? Why ain't you got that ship was goingto take you to the other side of the earth where you'd never see meagain?

BURKE--I have. 

ANNA--[Startled. ] What--then you're going--honest?

BURKE--I signed on to-day at noon, drunk as I was--and she's sailingto-morrow. 

ANNA--And where's she going to?

BURKE--Cape Town. 

ANNA--[The memory of having heard that name a little while beforecoming to her--with a start, confusedly. ] Cape Town? Where's that. Faraway?

BURKE--'Tis at the end of Africa. That's far for you. 

ANNA--[Forcing a laugh. ] You're keeping your word all right, ain't you?[After a slight pause--curiously. ] What's the boat's name?

BURKE--The Londonderry. 

ANNA--[It suddenly comes to her that this is the same ship her fatheris sailing on. ] The Londonderry! It's the same--Oh, this is too much![With wild, ironical laughter. ] Ha-ha-ha!

BURKE--What's up with you now?

ANNA--Ha-ha-ha! It's funny, funny! I'll die laughing!

BURKE--[Irritated. ] Laughing at what?

ANNA--It's a secret. You'll know soon enough. It's funny. [Controllingherself--after a pause--cynically. ] What kind of a place is this CapeTown? Plenty of dames there, I suppose?

BURKE--To hell with them! That I may never see another woman to mydying hour!

ANNA--That's what you say now, but I'll bet by the time you get thereyou'll have forgot all about me and start in talking the same old bullyou talked to me to the first one you meet. 

BURKE--[Offended. ] I'll not, then! God mend you, is it making me out tobe the like of yourself you are, and you taking up with this one andthat all the years of your life?

ANNA--[Angrily assertive. ] Yes, that's yust what I do mean! You beendoing the same thing all your life, picking up a new girl in everyport. How're you any better than I was?

BURKE--[Thoroughly exasperated. ] Is it no shame you have at all? I'm afool to be wasting talk on you and you hardened in badness. I'll go outof this and lave you alone forever. [He starts for the door--then stopsto turn on her furiously] And I suppose 'tis the same lies you toldthem all before that you told to me?

ANNA--[Indignantly. ] That's a lie! I never did!

BURKE--[Miserably. ] You'd be saying that, anyway. 

ANNA--[Forcibly, with growing intensity. ] Are you trying to accuseme--of being in love--really in love--with them?

BURKE--I'm thinking you were, surely. 

ANNA--[Furiously, as if this were the last insult--advancing on himthreateningly] You mutt, you! I've stood enough from you. Don't youdare. [With scornful bitterness. ] Love 'em! Oh, my Gawd! You damnthick-head! Love 'em? [Savagely. ] I hated 'em, I tell you! Hated 'em, hated 'em, hated 'em! And may Gawd strike me dead this minute and mymother, too, if she was alive, if I ain't telling you the honest truth!

BURKE--[Immensely pleased by her vehemence--a light beginning to breakover his face--but still uncertain, torn between doubt and the desireto believe--helplessly. ] If I could only be believing you now!

ANNA--[Distractedly. ] Oh, what's the use? What's the use of me talking?What's the use of anything? [Pleadingly. ] Oh, Mat, you mustn't thinkthat for a second! You mustn't! Think all the other bad about me youwant to, and I won't kick, 'cause you've a right to. But don't thinkthat! [On the point of tears. ] I couldn't bear it! It'd be yust toomuch to know you was going away where I'd never see you again--thinkingthat about me!

BURKE--[After an inward struggle--tensely--forcing out the words withdifficulty. ] If I was believing--that you'd never had love for anyother man in the world but me--I could be forgetting the rest, maybe. 

ANNA--[With a cry of joy. ] Mat!

BURKE--[Slowly. ] If 'tis truth you're after telling, I'd have a right, maybe, to believe you'd changed--and that I'd changed you myself 'tilthe thing you'd been all your life wouldn't be you any more at all. 

ANNA--[Hanging on his words--breathlessly. ] Oh, Mat! That's what I beentrying to tell you all along!

BURKE--[Simply. ] For I've a power of strength in me to lead men the wayI want, and women, too, maybe, and I'm thinking I'd change you to a newwoman entirely, so I'd never know, or you either, what kind of womanyou'd been in the past at all. 

ANNA--Yes, you could, Mat! I know you could!

BURKE--And I'm thinking 'twasn't your fault, maybe, but having that oldape for a father that left you to grow up alone, made you what you was. And if I could be believing 'tis only me you--

ANNA--[Distractedly. ] You got to believe it. Mat! What can I do? I'lldo anything, anything you want to prove I'm not lying!

BURKE--[Suddenly seems to have a solution. He feels in the pocket ofhis coat and grasps something--solemnly. ] Would you be willing to swearan oath, now--a terrible, fearful oath would send your soul to thedivils in hell if you was lying?

ANNA--[Eagerly. ] Sure, I'll swear, Mat--on anything!

BURKE--[Takes a small, cheap old crucifix from his pocket and holds itup for her to see. ] Will you swear on this?

ANNA--[Reaching out for it. ] Yes. Sure I will. Give it to me. 

BURKE--[Holding it away. ] 'Tis a cross was given me by my mother, Godrest her soul. [He makes the sign of the cross mechanically. ] I was alad only, and she told me to keep it by me if I'd be waking or sleepingand never lose it, and it'd bring me luck. She died soon after. But I'mafter keeping it with me from that day to this, and I'm telling youthere's great power in it, and 'tis great bad luck it's saved me fromand me roaming the seas, and I having it tied round my neck when mylast ship sunk, and it bringing me safe to land when the others went totheir death. [Very earnestly. ] And I'm warning you now, if you'd swearan oath on this, 'tis my old woman herself will be looking down fromHivin above, and praying Almighty God and the Saints to put a greatcurse on you if she'd hear you swearing a lie!

ANNA--[Awed by his manner--superstitiously] I wouldn't have thenerve--honest--if it was a lie. But it's the truth and I ain't scaredto swear. Give it to me. 

BURKE--[Handing it to her--almost frightenedly, as if he feared for hersafety. ] Be careful what you'd swear, I'm saying. 

ANNA--[Holding the cross gingerly. ] Well--what do you want me to swear?You say it. 

BURKE--Swear I'm the only man in the world ivir you felt love for. 

ANNA--[Looking into his eyes steadily] I swear it. 

BURKE--And that you'll be forgetting from this day all the badnessyou've done and never do the like of it again. 

ANNA--[Forcibly. ] I swear it! I swear it by God!

BURKE--And may the blackest curse of God strike you if you're lying. Say it now!

ANNA--And may the blackest curse of God strike me if I'm lying!

BURKE--[With a stupendous sigh. ] Oh, glory be to God, I'm afterbelieving you now! [He takes the cross from her hand, his face beamingwith joy, and puts it back in his pocket. He puts his arm about herwaist and is about to kiss her when he stops, appalled by some terribledoubt. ]

ANNA--[Alarmed. ] What's the matter with you?

BURKE--[With sudden fierce questioning. ] Is it Catholic ye are?

ANNA--[Confused. ] No. Why?

BURKE--[Filled with a sort of bewildered foreboding. ] Oh, God, help me![With a dark glance of suspicion at her. ] There's some divil's trickeryin it, to be swearing an oath on a Catholic cross and you wan of theothers. 

ANNA--[Distractedly. ] Oh, Mat, don't you believe me?

BURKE--[Miserably. ] If it isn't a Catholic you are--

ANNA--I ain't nothing. What's the difference? Didn't you hear me swear?

BURKE--[Passionately. ] Oh, I'd a right to stay away from you--but Icouldn't! I was loving you in spite of it all and wanting to be withyou, God forgive me, no matter what you are. I'd go mad if I'd not haveyou! I'd be killing the world--[He seizes her in his arms and kissesher fiercely. ]

ANNA--[With a gasp of joy. ] Mat!

BURKE--[Suddenly holding her away from him and staring into her eyes asif to probe into her soul--slowly. ] If your oath is no proper oath atall, I'll have to be taking your naked word for it and have you anyway, I'm thinking--I'm needing you that bad!

ANNA--[Hurt--reproachfully. ] Mat! I swore, didn't I?

BURKE--[Defiantly, as if challenging fate. ] Oath or no oath, 'tis nomatter. We'll be wedded in the morning, with the help of God. [Stillmore defiantly. ] We'll be happy now, the two of us, in spite of thedivil! [He crushes her to him and kisses her again. The door on theleft is pushed open and CHRIS appears in the doorway. He standsblinking at them. At first the old expression of hatred of BURKE comesinto his eyes instinctively. Then a look of resignation and relieftakes its place. His face lights up with a sudden happy thought. Heturns back into the bedroom--reappears immediately with the tin can ofbeer in his hand grinning. ]

CHRIS--Me have drink on this, py golly! [They break away from eachother with startled exclamations. ]

BURKE--[Explosively. ] God stiffen it! [He takes a step toward CHRISthreateningly. ]

ANNA--[Happily--to her father. ] That's the way to talk! [With a laugh. ]And say, it's about time for you and Mat to kiss and make up. You'regoing to be shipmates on the Londonderry, did you know it?

BURKE--[Astounded. ] Shipmates--Has himself--

CHRIS--[Equally astounded. ] Ay vas bo'sun on her. 

BURKE--The divil! [Then angrily. ] You'd be going back to sea andleaving her alone, would you?

ANNA--[Quickly. ] It's all right, Mat. That's where he belongs, and Iwant him to go. You got to go, too; we'll need the money. [With alaugh, as she gets the glasses. ] And as for me being alone, that runsin the family, and I'll get used to it. [Pouring out their glasses. ]I'll get a little house somewhere and I'll make a regular place for youtwo to come back to, --wait and see. And now you drink up and be friends. 

BURKE--[Happily--but still a bit resentful against the old man. ] Sure![Clinking his glass against CHRIS'. ] Here's luck to you! [He drinks. ]

CHRIS--[Subdued--his face melancholy. ] Skoal. [He drinks. ]

BURKE--[To Anna, with a wink. ] You'll not be lonesome long. I'll see tothat, with the help of God. 'Tis himself here will be having agrandchild to ride on his foot, I'm telling you!

ANNA--[Turning away in embarrassment. ] Quit the kidding, now. [Shepicks up her bag and goes into the room on left. As soon as she is goneBURKE relapses into an attitude of gloomy thought. CHRIS stares at hisbeer absent-mindedly. Finally BURKE turns on him. ]

BURKE--Is it any religion at all you have, you and your Anna?

CHRIS--[Surprised. ] Vhy yes. Ve vas Lutheran in ole country. 

BURKE--[Horrified. ] Luthers, is it? [Then with a grim resignation, slowly, aloud to himself. ] Well, damned then surely. Yerra, what's thedifference? 'Tis the will of God, anyway. 

CHRIS--[Moodily preoccupied with his own thoughts--speaks with somberpremonition as ANNA re-enters from the left. ] It's funny. It's queer, yes--you and me shipping on same boat dat vay. It ain't right. Ay don'tknow--it's dat funny vay ole davil sea do her vorst dirty tricks, yes. It's so. [He gets up and goes back and, opening the door, stares outinto the darkness. ]

BURKE--[Nodding his head in gloomy acquiescence--with a great sigh. ]I'm fearing maybe you have the right of it for once, divil take you. 

ANNA--[Forcing a laugh. ] Gee, Mat, you ain't agreeing with him, areyou? [She comes forward and puts her arm about his shoulder--with adetermined gaiety. ] Aw say, what's the matter? Cut out the gloom. We'reall fixed now, ain't we, me and you? [Pours out more beer into hisglass and fills one for herself--slaps him on the back. ] Come on!Here's to the sea, no matter what! Be a game sport and drink to that!Come on! [She gulps down her glass. Burke banishes his superstitiouspremonitions with a defiant jerk of his head, grins up at her, anddrinks to her toast. ]

CHRIS--[Looking out into the night--lost in his somberpreoccupation--shakes his head and mutters. ] Fog, fog, fog, all bloodytime. You can't see vhere you vas going, no. Only dat ole davil, sea--she knows! [The two stare at him. From the harbor comes themuffled, mournful wail of steamers' whistles. ]

[The Curtain Falls]