the booze I meant when I said, was I dreaming. I thought you was
some mermaid out of 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
this scow?

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

BURKE--[Delighted--proudly.] Ah, it was nothing--aisy for a rale
man with 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, be rights. And only for me, I'm telling you, and the great
strength and guts is in me, we'd be being scoffed by the fishes
this minute!

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