living in his cabin with him, no less! [Seeing the cold, hostile
expression on ANNA's face, he suddenly changes his tone to one of
boisterous joviality.] But I do be thinking, iver since the first
look my eyes took at you, that it's a fool you are to be wasting
yourself--a fine, handsome girl--on a stumpy runt of a man like
that old Swede. There's too many strapping great lads on the sea
would give their heart's blood for one kiss of you!

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

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

ANNA--[Struggling fiercely.] Leggo of me, you big mut! [She pushes
him away with all her might. BURKE, weak and tottering, is caught
off his guard. He is thrown down backward and, in falling, hits
his head a hard thump against the bulwark. He lies there still,
knocked out for the moment. 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
his eyes and blinks up at her with vague wonder.]

ANNA--[Letting his head sink back on the deck, rising to her feet