Captain Keeney breaks his promise to his wife, even though he says he loves her
Keeney's pride pushes him to put his goal of getting the oil ahead of any feelings for his wife. He needs to get the oil to feel strong and to prove himself. At the same time, he denies that his wife is really going mad, saying, "I know you're foolin' me" (lines 892-893). He may feel justified in staying "jest a little while longer" at sea because he can't believe she is actually losing her mind and because she insisted on making the voyage in the first place.
