Robert—[With violent protest.] Andy! You can’t! Don’t be a fool! This is all so stupid—and terrible.
Andrew—[Coldly.] I’ll talk to you in a minute, Rob, when we’re alone. This is between Uncle and me. [Crushed by his brother’s cold indifference, Robert sinks down into a chair, holding his head in his hands. Andrew turns again to Scott.] If you don’t want to take me, it’s all right—there’s no hard feelings. I can understand you don’t like to fall out with Pa.
Scott—[Indignantly.] Gawd A’mighty, Andy, I ain’t scared o’ your Pa, nor no man livin,’ I want t’have you come along! Only I was thinkin’ o’ Kate. We don’t want her to have to suffer from his contrariness. Let’s see. [He screws up his brows in thought.] S’posing we both lie a little, eh? I’ll tell ’em you’re not comin’ with me, and you tell ’em you’re goin’ to the port to get another ship. We can leave here in the team together. That’s natural enough. They can’t suspect nothin’ from that. And then you can write home the first port we touch and explain things. [He winks at Andrew cunningly.] Are you on to the course?
Andrew—[Frowning.] Yes—if you think it’s best.
Scott—For your Ma’s sake. I wouldn’t ask it, else.
Andrew—[Shrugging his shoulders.] All right then.
