Chapter 109

_ARETHUSA, GAUNT entering L._

ARETHUSA. Father, Kit is gone.... He is asleep.

GAUNT. Waiting, waiting and wearying. The years, they go so heavily, my Hester still waiting! (_He goes R. to chest, which he opens._) That is your chain; it's of Guinea gold; I brought it you from Guinea. (_Taking out chain._) You liked it once; it pleased you long ago; O, why not now--why will you not be happy now?... I swear this is my last voyage; see, I lay my hand upon the Holy Book and swear it. One more venture--for the child's sake, Hester; you don't think upon your little maid.

ARETHUSA. Ah, for my sake, it was for my sake!

GAUNT. Ten days out from Lagos. That's a strange sunset, Mr. Yeo. All hands shorten sail! Lay aloft there, look smart!... What's that? Only the negroes in the hold.... Mr. Yeo, she can't live long at this; I have a wife and child in Barnstaple.... Christ, what a sea! Hold on, for God's sake--hold on fore and aft! Great God! (_as though the sea were making a breach over the ship at the moment_).

ARETHUSA. O!

GAUNT. They seem quieter down below there.... No water--no light--no air--seven days battened down, and the seas mountain high, and the ship labouring hell-deep! Two hundred and five, two hundred and five, two hundred and five--all to eternal torture!

ARETHUSA. O pity him, pity him! Let him sleep, let him forget! Let her prayers avail in heaven, and let him rest!

GAUNT. Hester, no, don't smile at me. Rather tears! I have seen you weep--often, often; two hundred and five times. Two hundred and five! (_With ring._) Hester, here is your ring (_he tries to put the ring on his finger_). How comes it in my hand? Not fallen off again? O no, impossible! it was made smaller, dear, it can't have fallen off! Ah, you waste away. You must live, you must, for the dear child's sake, for mine, Hester, for mine! Ah, the child. Yes. Who am I to judge? Poor Kit French! And she, your little maid, she's like you, Hester, and she will save him! How should a man be saved without a wife?

ARETHUSA. O father, if you could but hear me thank and bless you! (_The tapping of PEW'S stick is heard approaching. GAUNT passes L. front and sits._)

GAUNT (_beginning to count the taps_). One--two--two hundred and five----

ARETHUSA (_listening_). God help me, the blind man! (_She runs to door, C.; the key is put into the lock from without, and the door opens._)