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 night, the steamer took its way. Presently it swung out of one of the narrow channels and wallowed like an antediluvian monster into the stillness of a wide lagoon. Out of the darkness, low, broad waves moved in upon it, trailing stars along their swarthy backs to shatter into silver dust against the uncouth bows.

To Porgy and Bess, still sitting silent in the stern, came only the echoes of drowsy conversations, sounds of sleeping, and the rhythmic splash and drip of the single great wheel behind them. The boat forged out into the centre of the lagoon, and the shore line melted out behind it. Where it had shown a moment before, could now be seen only the steady climb of constellations out of the water's rim, and the soft, humid lamps of low, near stars. The night pressed in about the two quiet figures.

Porgy had said Ho word since their departure. His body had assumed its old, tense attitude. His face wore again its listening look. Now, he said slowly:

"Yuh nebber lie tuh me, Bess."

"No," came an even, colorless voice, "I nebber lie tuh yuh. Yuh gots tuh gib me dat."

Another interval, then:

"War it Crown?"