Jamaica Inn Page #3

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(Raucous laughter)

Shut that gab!

Keep it quiet.

- You see, boys, we've got a visitor.

- Harry told us.

She's a neat piece from what I've seen of her.

Very neat.

That's all you think of, women.

Vanities of the flesh.

Following petticoats

along the path to everlasting corruption.

- Salvation's off again.

- You can laugh now.

But you'll sing a different tune,

when you're roasting in the consuming fire

that's waiting for all of us.

Me included.

- Where are you going, Harry?

- To pay my respects.

She's not partial to your sort, Harry.

What about me in my new lace cuffs?

Anything in mind that way yourself?

Well, I hadn't given the matter a thought,

but I might.

I said I might, Harry.

All right, Joss.

Added to which,

she's my wife's niece from Ireland.

Why didn't you say that before?

My business, Harry, my business.

I knew a girl once.

Come from Ireland.

Talked funny, she did. Like a foreigner.

But it was all right.

I'm not what you expected, am I?

I was only a child when you went away,

Aunt Patience.

I can only just remember you then.

And what was I like then?

You were beautiful.

Was I?

Yes...

I suppose I was.

No doubt your mother told you all about me.

You're thinking I'm paid out for leaving home.

For running away. Well, you're wrong.

Joss has been a good husband to me.

There's nothing I'd change even if I could.

It's hard work and it's risky work.

It's work we'll rot in chains for one day.

All in a neat row.

And what do we get out of it? Next to nothing.

Why, a man's share doesn't come to enough

to hold body and soul together.

That last wreck didn't bring in

what it should have. That's what I say.

That's what you say.

No, that's what Sydney said.

- So, you've been yapping, eh?

- No, no, Mr Merlyn, I assure you.

Showing off your arithmetic, eh?

Doing pretty sums for poor lads

that can't read nor reckon.

You're out to list the goods,

not set a price on them.

Just a minute, Joss.

I told him the last haul didn't fetch

a quarter of what it should have done.

You did, eh?

Reckoning by our share of it,

maybe you're not getting

the right price for the stuff.

Maybe there's a leak somewhere.

(Harry whistles)

You're looking thoughtful, Harry.

Perhaps you'll give us

the benefit of your sentiments.

If any.

About this leak, I think the word is,

if you've a notion in your mind, Harry,

don't be bashful.

Spit it out. We'd be glad to listen.

I wouldn't know about that, Joss.

Well, perhaps I would.

Supposing there is a leak.

And supposing it happens before the goods

get to the inn, do you follow me?

Some absent-minded chap

might mislay a piece or two,

in a manner of speaking,

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