She’s as beautiful a ship as you’re a woman. Aye, the two of you are like sisters. If she was mine, I’d take you on a honeymoon then! To China — and on the voyage back, we’d stop at the South Pacific Islands I’ve told you about. By God, there’s the right place for love and a honeymoon!

CHRISTINE —(slowly ) Yes — but Ezra is alive!

BRANT —(brought back to earth — gloomily ) I know it’s only a dream.

CHRISTINE —(turning to stare at him — slowly ) You can have your dream — and I can have mine. There is a way. (then turning away again ) You remember my telling you he had written complaining of pains about his heart?

BRANT — You’re surely not hoping —

CHRISTINE — No. He said it was nothing serious. But I’ve let it be known that he has heart trouble. I went to see our old family doctor and told him about Ezra’s letter. I pretended to be dreadfully worried, until I got him worried too. He’s the town’s worst old gossip. I’m sure everyone knows about Ezra’s weak heart by this time.

BRANT — What are you driving at, Christine?

CHRISTINE — Something I’ve been thinking of ever since I realized he might soon come home. And now that Vinnie — but even if we didn’t have to consider her, it’d be the only way! I couldn’t fool him long. He’s a strange, hidden man. His silence always creeps into my thoughts. Even if he never spoke, I would feel what was in his mind and some night, lying beside him, it would drive me mad and I’d have to kill his silence by screaming out the truth! (She has been staring before her — now she suddenly turns on Brant — slowly ) If he died suddenly now, no one would think it was anything but heart failure. I’ve been reading a book in Father’s medical library. I saw it there one day a few weeks ago — it was as if some fate in me forced me to see it! (She reaches in the sleeve of her dress and takes out the slip of paper she had written on. ) I’ve written something here. I want you to get it for me. (His fingers close on it mechanically. He stares at it with a strange stupid dread. She hurries on so as not to give him time for reflection. ) The work on the “Flying Trades” is all finished, isn’t it? You sail to Boston tomorrow, to wait for cargo?

BRANT —(dully ) Aye.

CHRISTINE — Get this at some druggist’s down by the waterfront the minute you reach there. You can make up some story about a sick dog on your ship. As soon as you get it, mail it to me here. I’ll be on the lookout, so Vinnie will never know it came. Then you must wait on the “Flying Trades” until you hear from me or I come to you — afterward!

BRANT —(dully ) But how can you do it — so no one will suspect?

CHRISTINE — He’s taking medicine. I’ll give him his medicine. Oh, I’ve planned it carefully.

BRANT — But — if he dies suddenly, won’t Vinnie —

CHRISTINE — There’ll be no reason for her to suspect. She’s worried already about his heart. Besides, she may hate me, but she would never think —

BRANT — Orin will be coming home, too.

CHRISTINE — Orin will believe anything I want him to.