CHRIS--[Who has been staring down at her face admiringly, not
hearing what she says--impulsively.] You know you vas awful pooty
gel, Anna? Ay bet 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
see you and not remember nothing. You're like--a stranger.

CHRIS--[Sadly.] Ay s'pose. Ay never come home only few times ven
you vas 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
on voyage, it's better for you you don't never see me! [He sinks
down in the chair opposite her dejectedly--then turns to her--
sadly.] Ay don't know, Anna, vhy Ay never come home Sveden in ole
year. Ay vant come home end of every voyage. Ay vant see your
mo'der, your two bro'der before dey vas drowned, you ven you vas
born--but--Ay--don't go. Ay sign on oder ships--go South America,
go Australia, go China, go every port all over world many times--
but Ay never go aboard ship sail for Sveden. Ven Ay gat money for
pay passage home as passenger den--[He bows his head guiltily.] Ay