How we cite our quotes: (Name of Play, Act #)
Quote #4
LAVINIA: Don't you touch me! Don't you dare--! You liar! You--! But I suppose it would be foolish to expect anything but cheap romantic lies from the son of a low Canuck nurse girl!
BRANT: What's that? Belay, damn you!--or I'll forget you're a woman--no Mannon can insult her while I--
LAVINIA: So--it is true--You are her son! Oh!
BRANT: And what if I am? I'm proud to be! My only shame is my dirty Mannon blood! So that's why you couldn't stand my touching you just now, is it? You're too good for the son of a servant, eh? By God, you were glad enough before--!
Lavinia shows her elitist colors here, but Brant knows that social class and virtue don't always go together. He's more ashamed of his Mannon side.
Quote #5
LAVINIA: Well? What is it about Captain Brant you wanted to warn me against? I want to know all I can about him because—he seems to be calling to court me.
SETH: Ayeh.
LAVINIA: You say that as if you don't believe me.
SETH: I believe anything you tell me to believe. I ain't been with the Mannons for sixty years without learning that. (Homecoming, Act 1)
Short and to the point—but you can't get around just what is being implied here. If you want to keep in the Mannons' good graces, don't do or say anything to contradict them or otherwise tick them off. It's kind of sad that after working for them for 60 years Seth still has to play these kinds of games.
Quote #6
BRANT: But when I take you off, the laugh will be on him! You can come on the "Flying Trades!"
CHRISTINE: I don't think you'd propose that, Adam, if you stopped thinking of your revenge for a moment and thought of me! Don't you realize he would never divorce me, out of spite? What would I be in the world's eyes? My life would be ruined and I would ruin yours! You'd grow to hate me!
BRANT: Don't talk like that! It's a lie and you know it!
CHRISTINE: If I could only believe that, Adam! But I'll grow old so soon! And I'm afraid of time! As for my sailing on your ship, you'll find that you won't have a ship! He'll see to it you lose this command and get you blacklisted so you'll have no chance of getting another.
BRANT: Aye! He can do that if he sets about it. There are twice as many skippers as ships these days. (Homecoming, Act 2)
Brant can't compete with Ezra's influence and social standing. This is why Christine knows she'll have to resort to something more evil than just running off with Brant.