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

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

BURKE--Old men is getting childish shouldn't play with knives. [Holding the 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 will put sense in your square head. Kape off me now, I'm warning you! [He gives CHRIS a push with the flat of his hand which sends the old Swede staggering back against the cabin wall, where he remains standing, panting heavily, his eyes fixed on BURKE with hatred, as if he were only collecting his strength to rush at him again.]

BURKE--[Warningly.] Now don't be coming at me again, I'm saying, or I'll flatten you on the floor with a blow, if 'tis Anna's father you are 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 it was in you to come tackling me alone. [A shadow crosses the cabin windows. Both men start. ANNA appears in the doorway.]

ANNA--[With pleased surprise as she sees BURKE.] h.e.l.lo, Mat. Are you here already? I was down--[She stops, looking from one to the other, sensing immediately that something has happened.] What's up? [Then noticing the overturned chair--in alarm.] How'd that chair get knocked over? [Turning on BURKE reproachfully.] You ain't been fighting with him, Mat--after you promised?

BURKE--[His old self again.] I've not laid a hand on him, Anna. [He goes and picks up the chair, then turning on the still questioning ANNA--with a rea.s.suring smile.] Let you not be worried at all. 'Twas only a bit of an argument we was having to pa.s.s the time till you'd come.

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 vas talking 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 defiant grin at CHRIS.] He's not after telling you the whole of it. We was arguing about you mostly.

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

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

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

CHRIS--[Advancing toward the table--protesting to BURKE.] No! You don't do 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 going ash.o.r.e, yes? You ain't got time--

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

BURKE--[Draws a deep breath--then plunges in boldly.] The whole of it's in a few words only. So's he'd make no mistake, and him hating the sight of me, I told him in his teeth I loved you. [Pa.s.sionately.] And that's G.o.d truth, Anna, and well you know it!

CHRIS--[Scornfully--forcing a laugh.] Ho-ho! He tal same tang to gel every 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't mind what he says.

BURKE--[Humbly grateful.] G.o.d bless you!

ANNA--And then what?

BURKE--And then--[Hesitatingly.] And then I said--[He looks at her pleadingly.] I said I was sure--I told him I thought you have a bit of love for me, too. [Pa.s.sionately.] Say you do, Anna! Let you not destroy me entirely, for the love of G.o.d! [He grasps both her hands in his two.]

ANNA--[Deeply moved and troubled--forcing a trembling laugh.] So you told 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--I didn't want to, Mat, I'll own up to that--I tried to cut it out--but--[She laughs helplessly.] I guess I can't help it anyhow. So I guess 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 grat.i.tude.] G.o.d be praised!

ANNA--[a.s.sertively.] 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 be believing ivery word you iver said or iver will say. And 'tis you and me will be having a grand, beautiful life together to the end of our days! [He tries to kiss her. At first she turns away her head--then, overcome by a fierce impulse of pa.s.sionate love, she takes his head in both 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 fighting back her sobs.]

BURKE--[Too in the seventh heaven of bliss to get any correct interpretation of her word--with a laugh.] Good-bye, is it? The divil you 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's good-bye, and has looked back at her with a stirring of foolish hope in his eyes.] Now, me old bucko, what'll you be saying? You heard the words from her own lips. Confess I've bate you. Own up like a man when you're bate fair and square. And here's my hand to you--[Holds out his hand.] And let you take it and we'll shake and forget what's over and done, and be friends from this out.

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

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

CHRIS--Ay don't lose--[Trying to be scornful and self-convincing.] Anna say 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. Her face 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 is shining 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 do be asked, you mane? Well, I'm asking you now. And we'll be married this day, with the help of G.o.d!

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 for good-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 dat vas so!

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

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.