] Aw say, youse guys. Lemme alone. Can't youse
see I'm tryin' to tink?
ALL--[Repeating the word after him as one with cynical mockery.]
Think! [The word has a brazen, metallic quality as if their
throats were phonograph horns. It is followed by a chorus of hard,
barking laughter.]
YANK--[Springing to his feet and glaring at
them belligerently.] Yes, tink! Tink, dat's what I said! What
about it? [They are silent, puzzled by his sudden resentment at
what used to be one of his jokes. Yank sits down again in the same
attitude of "The Thinker."]
VOICES--Leave him alone.
He's got a grouch on.
Why wouldn't he?
PADDY--[With a wink at the others.] Sure I know what's the
matther. 'Tis aisy to see. He's fallen in love, I'm telling you.
ALL--[Repeating the word after him as one with cynical mockery.]
Love! [The word has a brazen, metallic quality as if their throats
were phonograph horns. It is followed by a chorus of hard, barking
laughter.]
YANK--[With a contemptuous snort.] Love, hell! Hate, dat's what.
I've fallen in hate, get me?
PADDY--[Philosophically] 'Twould take a wise man to tell one from
the other. [With a bitter, ironical scorn, increasing as he goes
on.] But I'm telling you it's love that's in it. Sure what else
but love for us poor bastes in the stokehole would be bringing a
fine lady, dressed like a white quane, down a mile of ladders and
steps to be havin' a look at us? [A growl of anger goes up from
all sides.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49