)
Aune: Excuse me, sir, but if it is convenient--
Bernick (turning round angrily): What do you want?
Aune: To know if I may ask you a question, sir.
Bernick: Be quick about it, then. What is it?
Aune: I wanted to ask if I am to consider it as certain--
absolutely certain--that I should be dismissed from the yard if
the "Indian Girl" were not ready to sail tomorrow?
Bernick: What do you mean? The ship is ready to sail?
Aune: Yes--it is. But suppose it were not, should I be
discharged?
Bernick: What is the use of asking such idle questions?
Aune: Only that I should like to know, sir. Will you answer me
that?--should I be discharged?
Bernick: Am I in the habit of keeping my word or not?
Aune: Then tomorrow I should have lost the position I hold in my
house and among those near and dear to me--lost my influence over
men of my own class--lost all opportunity of doing anything for
the cause of the poorer and needier members of the community?
Bernick: Aune, we have discussed all that before.
Aune: Quite so--then the "Indian Girl" will sail.
(A short silence.)
Bernick: Look here--it is impossible for me to have my eyes
everywhere--I cannot be answerable for everything.
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