But her voice was calm when, at last, she spoke.
"Nat," she said, "there's only one thing I can say.

And that's what your father said: Why can't you ?" The captain sprang from his chair.
"What ?" he cried incredulously.

"What are you sayin' ?" "Just what your father said, Nat.

Why can't you marry Grace?
She's a dear, good girl and--" "That be--keelhauled! Keziah Coffin, you sit there and ask me why I can't marry her! YOU do ?" "Yes, Nat." "Keziah, you're crazy! Don't talk to me like that.

We're not jokin' now.
You know why I can't marry her, nor anyone else in this round world but you." "Nat, I can't marry you." "I know, I know.