BURKE--What is it you do when you're not taking a trip with the
Old Man? For I'm thinking a fine girl the like of you ain't living
always on this tub.

ANNA--[Uneasily.] No--of course I ain't. [She searches his face
suspiciously, afraid there may be some hidden insinuation in his
words. Seeing his simple frankness, she goes on confidently.]
Well, I'll tell you. I'm a governess, see? I take care of kids for
people and learn them things.

BURKE--[Impressed.] A governess, is it? You must be smart, surely.

ANNA--But let's not talk about me. Tell me about the wreck, like
you promised me you would.

BURKE--[Importantly.] 'Twas this way, Miss. Two weeks out we ran
into the divil's own storm, and she sprang wan hell of a leak up
for'ard. The skipper was hoping to make Boston before another blow
would finish her, but ten days back we met up with another storm
the like of the first, only worse. Four days we was in it with
green seas raking over her from bow to stern. That was a terrible
time, God help us. [Proudly.] And if 'twasn't for me and my great
strength, I'm telling you--and it's God's truth--there'd been
mutiny itself in the stokehole. 'Twas me held them to it, with a
kick to wan and a clout to another, and they not caring a damn for
the engineers any more, but fearing a clout of my right arm more
than they'd fear the sea itself. [He glances at her anxiously,
eager for her approval.]

ANNA--[Concealing a smile--amused by this boyish boasting of his.]