Beyond The Horizon...........................................................................................................................................1

SCENEA section of country highway. The road runs diagonally from the left, forward, to the right, rear, and

can be seen in the distance winding toward the horizon like a pale ribbon between the low, rolling hills with

their freshly plowed fields clearly divided from each other, checkerboard fashion, by the lines of stone walls

The forward triangle cut off by the road is a section of a field from the dark earth of which myriad

brightgreen blades of fallsown rye are sprouting. A straggling line of piled rocks, too low to be called a

To the rear of the road is a ditch with a sloping, grassy bank on the far side. From the center of this an old,

gnarled apple tree, just budding into leaf, strains its twisted branches heavenwards, black against the pallor of

distance. A snakefence sidles from left to right along the top of the bank, passing beneath the apple tree.

The hushed twilight of a day in May is just beginning. The horizon hills are still rimmed by a faint line of

flame, and the sky above them glows with the crimson flush of the sunset. This fades gradually as the action

At the rise of the curtain, ROBERT MAYO is discovered sitting on the fence. He is a tall, slender young man

of twentythree. There is a touch of the poet about him expressed in his high forehead and wide, dark eyes.

His features are delicate and refined, leaning to weakness in the mouth and chin. He is dressed in grey

corduroy trousers pushed into high laced boots, and a blue flannel shirt with a bright colored tie. He is

reading a book by the fading sunset light. He shuts this, keeping a finger in to mark the place, and turns his

head toward the horizon, gazing out over the fields and hills. His lips move as if he were reciting something

His brother ANDREW comes along the road from the right, returning from his work in the fields. He is

twentyseven years old, an opposite type to ROBERThusky, sunbronzed, handsome in a largefeatured,

manly fashiona son of the soil, intelligent in a shrewd way, but with nothing of the intellectual about him. He

wears overalls, leather boots, a grey flannel shirt open at the neck, and a soft, mudstained hat pushed back

ANDREW[Seeing ROBERT has not noticed his presencein a loud shout.] Hey there! [ROBERT turns with a

start. Seeing who it is, he smiles.] Gosh, you do take the prize for daydreaming! And I see you've toted one

of the old books along with you. Want to bust your eyesight reading in this light?

ROBERT[Glancing at the book in his hand with a rather shamefaced air.] I wasn't readingjust then, Andy.

ANDREWNo, but you have been. Shucks, you never will get any sense, Rob. [He crosses the ditch and sits

on the fence near his brother.] What is it this timepoetry, I'll bet. [He reaches for the book.] Let me see.

ROBERT[Handing it to him rather reluctantly.] Yes, it's poetry. Look out you don't get it full of dirt.

ANDREW[Glancing at his hands.] That isn't dirtit's good clean earth; but I'll be careful of the old thing. I

ANDREWHuh! If reading this stuff was the only way to get blind, I'd see forever. [His eyes read something

and he gives an exclamation of disgust.] Hump! [With a provoking grin at his brother he reads aloud in a

doleful, singsong voice.] "I have loved wind and light and the bright sea. But holy and most sacred night,

not as I love and have loved thee." [He hands the book back.] Here! Take it and bury it. Give me a good

ANDREWSure; anything sensible. I suppose it's that year in college gave you a liking for that kind of stuff.

I'm darn glad I stopped with High School, or maybe I'd been crazy too. [He grins and slaps ROBERT on the

back affectionately.] Imagine me reading poetry and plowing at the same time. The team'd run away, I'll bet.

ANDREW[Seriously.] Pa was right never to sick you onto the farm. You surely were never cut out for a

farmer, that's a fact,even if you'd never been took sick. [With concern.] Say, how'd you feel now, anyway?

I've lost track of you. Seems as if I never did get a chance to have a talk alone with you these days, 'count of

ANDREWThat's bully. You've surely earned it. You certainly had enough sickness in the old days to last you

ROBERTA healthy animal like you, you brute, can hardly understand what I went throughalthrough you saw

it. You remembersick one day, and well the nextalways weaknever able to last through a whole term at

school 'til I was years behind everyone my agenot able to get in any gamesit was hell! These last few years of

ANDREWI know; they must have been. [After a pause.] You should have gone back to college last fall, like

ROBERTYou know why I didn't go back, Andy. Pa didn't like the idea, even if he didn't say so; and I know

he wanted the money to use improving the farm. And besides, I had pretty much all I cared for in that one

year. I'm not keen on being a student, just because you see me reading books all the time. What I want to do

ANDREWWell, the trip you're leaving on tomorrow will keep you moving all right. [At this mention of the

trip they both fall silent. There is a pause. Finally ANDREW goes on, awkwardly attempting to speak

ROBERTNot so long when you come to consider it. You know the Sunda sails around the Horn for

Yokohama first, and that's a long voyage on a sailing ship; and if we go to any of the other places Uncle Dick

mentionsIndia, or Australia, or South Africa, or South Americathey'll be long voyages, too.

ANDREWYou can have all those foreign parts for all of me. A trip to the port once in a while, or maybe

down to New York a couple of times a yearthat's all the travel I'm hankering after. [He looks down the road

to the right.] Here comes Pa. [The noise of a team of horses coming slowly down the road is heard, and a

man's voice urging them on. A moment later JAMES MAYO enters, driving the two weary horses which have

been unhitched from the plow. He is his son ANDREW over again in body and facean ANDREW sixtyfive

years old, with a short, square, white beard. He is dressed much the same as ANDREW.]

MAYO[Checking his horses when he sees his sons.] Whoa there! Hello boys! What are you two doin' there

ANDREW[With a sly wink.] Rob's trying to get me into reading poetry. He thinks my education's been

MAYO[Chuckling.] That's good! You kin go out and sing it to the stock at nights to put 'em to sleep. What's

that he's got there'nother book? Good Lord, I thought you'd read every book there was in the world, Robert;

ANDREWHe's learning a new poem about the "bright sea" so he'll be all prepared to recite when he gets on

MAYO[A bit rebukingly.] He'll have plenty of time to be thinkin' 'bout the water in the next years. No need

MAYO[Changing the subject abruptly; turns to ANDREW.] How are things lookin' up to the hill lot, Andy?

ANDREW[Enthusiastically.] Fine as silk for this early in the year. Those oats seem to be coming along

MAYOI'm most done plowin' up the old medderfigger I ought to have it all up by tomorrow noon; then you

ANDREWSure. I expect I'll be through up above by then. There ain't but a little left to do.

MAYO[To the restive team.] Whoa there! You'll get your supper soon enough, you hungry critters. [Turning

again to ANDREW.] It looks like a good year for us, son, with fair luck on the weathereven if it's hard tucker

ANDREW[With a grin of satisfaction.] I can stand my share of the hard work, I guessand then some.

MAYOThat's the way to talk, son. Work never done a man harm yetleastways, not work done out in the

open. [ROBERT has been trying to pretend an interest in their conversation, but he can't help showing that it

MAYO[Seriously.] There's more satisfaction in the earth than ever was in any book; and Robert'll find it out

sooner or later. [A twinkle comes into his eyes.] When he's grown up and got some sense.

MAYOTime'll tell. Well, I'll be movin' along home. Don't you two stay gossipin' too long. [He winks at

ROBERT.] 'Specially you, Andy. Ruth and her Maw is comin' to supper, and you'd best be hurryin' to wash

up and put on your best Sundaygotomettin' clothes. [He laughs. ROBERT'S face contracts as if he were

wincing at some pain, but he forces a smile. ANDREW grows confused and casts a quick side glance at his

MAYOAnd you, Robert, don't you stay moonin' at the sky longer'n is needful. You'll get lots o' time for that

the next three years you're out on the sea. Remember this is your last night to home, and you've got to make

an early start tomorrow, [He hesitates, then finishes earnestly] 'n' your Ma'll be wantin' to see all she kin o'

MAYOThat's right. I'll tell your Maw you're acomin'. [He chucks to the horses.] Giddap, old bones! Don't

you want no supper tonight? [The horses walk off, and he follows them. There is a pause. ANDREW and

ANDREWAnd Pa ain't feeling none too happy to have you gothough he's been trying not to show it.

ANDREWAnd you can bet that I'm not giving any cheers about it. [He puts one hand on the fence near

ROBERT[Putting one hand on top of ANDREW'S with a gesture almost of shyness.] I know that too, Andy.

ANDREWI'll miss you as much as anybody, I guess. I know how lonesome the old place was winter before

last when you was away to collegeand even then you used to come home once in a while; but this time[He

ROBERTLet's not think about it'til afterward. We'll only spoil this last night if we do.

ANDREWThat's good advice. [But after a pause, he returns to the subject again.] You see, you and I ain't

like most brothersalways fighting and separated a lot of the time, while we've always been togetherjust the

ROBERT[With feeling.] It's just as hard for me, Andybelieve that! I hate to leave you and the old folksbutI

feel I've got to. There's something calling me[He points to the horizon] calling to me from over there,

beyond and I feel as if no matter what happens Oh, I can't just explain it to you, Andy.

ANDREWNo need to, Rob. [Angry at himself.] You needn't try to explain. It's all just as it ought to be. Hell!

You want to go. You feel you ought to, and you got to! that's all there is to it; and I wouldn't have you miss

ANDREWHuh! I'd be a nice sonofagun if I didn't, wouldn't I? When I know how you need this sea trip

ROBERT[A trifle impatiently.] All of you seem to keep harping on my health. You were so used to seeing

me lying around the house in the old days that you never will get over the notion that I'm a chronic invalid,

and have to be looked after like a baby all the time, or wheeled round in a chair like Mrs. Atkins. You don't

realize how I've bucked up in the past few years. Why, I bet right now I'm just as healthy as you areI mean

just as sound in wind and limb; and if I was staying on at the farm, I'd prove it to you. You're suffering from a

fixed idea about my delicatenessand so are Pa and Ma. Every time I've offered to help, Pa has stared at me as

ANDREW[Conciliatingly.] Nobody claimed the undertaker was taking your measurements. All I was saying

ROBERTIf I had no other excuse for going on Uncle Dick's ship but just my health, I'd stay right here and

ANDREWCan't be done. No use in your talking that way, Rob. Farming ain't your nature. There's all the

difference shown in just the way us two feel about the farm. I like it, all of it, and youwell, you like the home

part of it, I expect; but as a place to work and grow things, you hate it. Ain't that right?

ROBERTYes, I suppose it is. I've tried to take an interest butwell, you're the Mayo branch of the family, and

I take after Ma and Uncle Dick. It's natural enough when you come to think of it. The Mayos have been

farmers from way back, while the Scotts have been mostly seafaring folks, with a school teacher thrown in

ANDREWYou do favor Ma. I remember she used always to have her nose in a book when I was a kid; but

ROBERT[With a trace of bitterness.] The farm has claimed her in spite of herself. That's what I'm afraid it

might do to me in time; and that's why I feel I ought to get away. [Fearing he has hurt ANDREW'S

feelings.] You musn't misunderstand me, Andy. For you it's a different thing. You're a Mayo through and

through. You're wedded to the soil. You're as much a product of it as an ear of corn is, or a tree. Father is the

same. This farm is his lifework, and he's happy in knowing that another Mayo, inspired by the same love,

will take up the work where he leaves off. I can understand your attitude, and Pa's; and I think it's wonderful

ANDREWNo, you ain't; but when it comes to understanding, I guess I realize that you've got your own angle

ANDREW[Confidently.] Sure I do. You've seen a bit of the world, enough to make the farm seem small, and

ANDREWOh, of course. I know you're going to learn navigation, and all about a ship, so's you can be an

officer. That's natural, too. There's fair pay in it, I expect, when you consider that you've always got a home

and grub thrown in; and if you're set on travelling, you can go anywhere you're a mind to, without paying

ANDREWSure it is. There's always a chance of a good thing coming your way in some of those foreign

ports or other. I've heard there are great opportunities for a young fellow with his eyes open in some of those

new countries that are just being opened up. And with your education you ought to pick up the language

quick. [Jovially.] I'll bet that's what you've been turning over in your mind under all your quietness! [He

slaps his brother on the back with a laugh.] Well, if you get to be a millionaire all of a sudden, call 'round

once in a while and I'll pass the plate to you. We could use a lot of money right here on the farm without

ROBERT[Forced to laugh.] I've never considered that practical side of it for a minute, Andy. [As ANDREW

ROBERTNo, I oughtn't. You're trying to wish an eyeforbusiness on me I don't possess. [Pointing to the

horizondreamily.] Supposing I was to tell you that it's just Beauty that's calling me, the beauty of the far off

and unknown, the mystery and spell of the East, which lures me in the books I've read, the need of the

freedom of great wide spaces, the joy of wandering on and onin quest of the secret which is hidden just over

there, beyond the horizon? Suppose I told you that was the one and only reason for my going?

ANDREWI don't believe it. You've got that idea out of your poetry books. A good dose of seasickness will

ANDREWThen you might as well stay right here, because we've got all you're looking for right on this farm.

There's wide space enough, Lord knows; and you can have all the sea you want by walking a mile down to

the beach; and there's plenty of horizon to look at, and beauty enough for anyone, except in the winter. [He

grins.] As for the mystery and spell, and other things you mentioned, I haven't met 'em yet, but they're

probably lying around somewheres. I'll have you understand this is a first class farm with all the fixings. [He

ROBERT[Joining in the laughter in spite of himself.] It's no use talking to you, you chump!

ANDREWMaybe; but you'll see I'm right before you've gone far. You're not as big a nut as you'd like to

make out. You'd better not say anything to Uncle Dick about spells and things when you're on the ship. He'll

likely chuck you overboard for a Jonah. [He jumps down from fence.] I'd better run along. I've got to wash up

ANDREW[Confusedlooking everywhere except at ROBERTtrying to appear unconcerned.] Yes, Pa did say

she was staying too. Well, I better hustle, I guess, and[He steps over the ditch to the road while he is talking.]

ROBERT[Who appears to be fighting some strong inward emotionimpulsively.] Wait a minute, Andy! [He

jumps down from the fence.] There is something I want to[He stops abruptly, biting his lips, his face

ANDREW[After a pause, during which he stares fixedly at ROBERT'S averted face.] Maybe I can

guess what you were going to say but I guess you're right not to talk about it. [He pulls ROBERT'S hand from

his side and grips it tensely; the two brothers stand looking into each other's eyes for a minute.] We can't

help those things, Rob. [He turns away, suddenly releasing ROBERT'S hand.] You'll be coming along

ANDREWSee you later, then. [He walks off down the road to the left. ROBERT stares after him for a

moment; then climbs to the fence rail again, and looks out over the hills, an expression of deep grief on his

face. After a moment or so, RUTH enters hurriedly from the left. She is a healthy, blonde, outofdoor girl

of twenty, with a graceful, slender figure. Her face, though inclined to roundness, is undeniably pretty, its

large eyes of a deep blue set off strikingly by the sunbronzed complexion. Her small, regular features are

marked by a certain strengthan underlying, stubborn fixity of purpose hidden in the franklyappealing charm

RUTH[Jumps the ditch and perches on the fence beside him.] I was looking for you.

RUTHI know. I met him on the road a second ago. He told me you were here. [Tenderly playful.] I wasn't

RUTHBecause your mother was anxious to have you come home and asked me to look for you. I just

RUTH[A shadow coming over her face.] She's about the same. She never seems to get any better or any

worse. Oh, Rob, I do wish she'd pick up a little or or try to make the best of things that can't be helped.

RUTH[Nods her head, and then breaks forth rebelliously.] She never stops nagging. No matter what I do for

her she finds fault. She's growing more irritable every day. Oh, Rob, you've no idea how hard it is living there

alone with her in that big lonely house. It's enough to drive anyone mad. If only Pa was still living[She stops

as if ashamed of her outburst.] I suppose I shouldn't complain this way. I wouldn't to any one but you. [She

sighs.] Poor Ma, Lord knows it's hard enough for herhaving to be wheeled around in a chair ever since I was

born. I suppose it's natural to be cross when you're not able ever to walk a step. But why should she be in a

RUTHThere! If I'm not the stupid body! I swore I wasn't going to speak about your tripuntil after you'd gone;

RUTHBecause I didn't want to spoil this last night you're here. Oh, Rob, I'm going towe're all going to miss

you so awfully. Your mother is going around looking as if she'd burst out crying any minute. You ought to

know how I feel. Andy and you and Iwhy it seems as if we'd always been together.

ROBERT[With a wry attempt at a smile.] You and Andy will still have each other. It'll be harder for me

RUTHBut you'll have new sights and new people to take your mind off; while we'll be here with the old,

familiar place to remind us every minute of the day. It's a shame you're goingjust at this time, in spring, when

everything is getting so nice. [With a sigh.] I oughtn't to talk that way when I know going's the best thing for

youon account of your health. The sea trip's bound to do you so much good, everyone says.

ROBERT[With a halfresentful grimace.] Don't tell me you think I'm a hopeless invalid, too! I've heard

enough of that talk from the folks. Honestly, Ruth, I feel better than I ever did in my life. I'm disgustingly

RUTH[Vaguely.] Of course you're bound to find all sorts of opportunities to get on, your father says.

ROBERT[Heatedly.] I don't give a damn about that! I wouldn't take a voyage across the road for the best

opportunity in the world of the kind Pa thinks of. I'd run away from it instead. [He smiles at his own

irritation.] Excuse me, Ruth, for getting worked up over it; but Andy gave me an overdose of the practical

RUTH[Slowly puzzled.] Well, then, if it isn't any of those reasons[With sudden intensity.] Oh, Rob, why do

RUTH[Dropping her eyes before his searching glance.] Because[Lamely.] It seems such a shame.

ROBERTI could hardly back out now, even if I wanted to. And I'll be forgotten before you know it.

RUTH[Indignantly.] You won't! I'll never forget[She stops and turns away to hide her confusion.]

RUTH[Evasively.] Of course. It's mean of you to think that any of us would forget so easily.

RUTH[With an attempt at lightness.] But you haven't told me your reason for leaving yet? Aren't you going

ROBERT[Moodily.] I doubt if you'll understand. It's difficult to explain, even to myself. It's more an

instinctive longing that won't stand dissection. Either you feel it, or you don't. The cause of it all is in the

blood and the bone, I guess, not in the brain, although imagination plays a large part in it. I can remember

being conscious of it first when I was only a kidyou haven't forgotten what a sickly specimen I was then, in

ROBERTYou'll have to, to understand. Well, in those days, when Ma was fixing meals, she used to get me

out of the way by pushing my chair to the west window and telling me to look out and be quiet. That wasn't

ROBERT[Musingly.] So I used to stare out over the fields to the hills, out there[He points to the

horizon] and somehow after a time I'd forget any pain I was in, and start dreaming. I knew the sea was over

beyond those hills,the folks had told meand I used to wonder what the sea was like, and try to form a picture

of it in my mind. [With a smile.] There was all the mystery in the world to me then about thatfaroff seaand

there still is! It called to me then just as it does now. [After a slight pause.] And other times my eyes would

follow this road, winding off into the distance, toward the hills, as if it, too, was searching for the sea. And I'd

promise myself that when I grew up and was strong, I'd follow that road, and it and I would find the sea

together. [With a smile.] You see, my making this trip is only keeping that promise of long ago.

RUTH[Charmed by his low, musical voice telling the dreams of his childhood.] Yes, I see.

ROBERTThose were the only happy moments of my life then, dreaming there at the window. I liked to be

all alonethose times. I got to know all the different kinds of sunsets by heartthe clear ones and the cloudy

ones, and all the color schemes of their countless variationsalthough I could hardly name more than three or

four colors correctly. And all those sunsets took place over there[He points] beyond the horizon. So gradually

I came to believe that all the wonders of the world happened on the other side of those hills. There was the

home of the good fairies who performed beautiful miracles. [He smiles.] I believed in fairies then, although I

suppose I ought to have been ashamed of it from a boy's standpoint. But you know how contemptuous of all

ROBERTHe'd bullied Ma into being ashamed of believing in anything and he'd forbidden her to teach Andy

or me. There wasn't much about our home but the life on the farm. I didn't like that, so I had to believe in

fairies. [With a smile.] Perhaps I still do believe in them. Anyway, in those days they were real enough, and

sometimesI suppose the mental science folks would explain it by selfhypnosisI could actually hear them

calling to me in soft whispers to come out and play with them, dance with them down the road in the dusk in

a game of hideandseek to find out where the sun was hiding himself. They sang their little songs to me,

songs that told of all the wonderful things they had in their home on the other side of the hills; and they

promised to show me all of them, if I'd only come, come! But I couldn't come then, and I used to cry

sometimes and Ma would think I was in pain. [He breaks off suddenly with a laugh.] That's why I'm going

now, I suppose. For I can still hear them calling, although I'm a man and have seen the other side of many

hills. But the horizon is as far away and as luring as ever. [He turns to hersoftly.] Do you understand now,

RUTHYes, yes, I do! [Unconsciously she snuggles close against his side. His arm steals about her as if he

were not aware of the action.] Oh, Rob, how could I help feeling it? You tell things so beautifully!

ROBERT[Suddenly realizing that his arm is around her, and that her head is resting on his shoulder, gently

takes his arm away. RUTH, brought back to herself, is overcome with confusion.] So now you know why I'm

ROBERT[Looking at her searchingly. She drops her eyes before his gaze.] I wonder if I ought to. I wonder

if you'd really care to hear itif you knew. You'll promise not to be angrywhatever it is?

ROBERTYou must let me finish now I've begun. I wasn't going to tell you, but I feel I have to. It can't

matter to you now that I'm going so far away, and for so longperhaps forever. I've loved you all these years,

but the realization of it never came to me 'til I agreed to go away with Uncle Dick. Then I thought of leaving

you, and the pain of that thought revealed the truth to me in a flashthat I loved you, had loved you as long as I

could remember. [He gently pulls one of RUTH'S hands away from her face.] You musn't mind my telling

you this, Ruth. I realize how impossible it all isand I understand; for the revelation of my own love seemed to

open my eyes to the love of others. I saw Andy's love for youand I knew that you must love him.

RUTH[Breaking out stormily.] I don't! I don't love Andy! I don't! [ROBERT stares at her in stupid

astonishment. RUTH weeps hysterically.] Whateverput such a fool notion intointo your head? [She suddenly

throws her arms about his neck and hides her head on his shoulder.] Oh, Rob! Don't go away! Please! You

ROBERT[The expression of stupid bewilderment giving way to one of overwhelming joy. He presses her

RUTH[Sobbing.] Yes, yesof course I dowhat d'you s'pose? [She lifts up her head and looks into his eyes with

a tremulous smile.] You stupid thing! [He kisses her.] I've loved you right along.

RUTHBecause you never seemed to want to go any place with me. You were always reading an old book,

and not paying any attention to me. I was too proud to let you see I cared because I thought the year you had

away to college had made you stuckup, and you thought yourself too educated to waste any time on me.

ROBERT[Kissing her.] And I was thinking[With a laugh.] What fools we've both been!

RUTH[Overcome by a sudden fear.] You won't go away on the trip, will you, Rob? You'll tell them you

RUTHOh, Rob, don't be so foolish. You know I can't. Who'd take care of Ma? She has no one in the world

but me. I can't leave herthe way she is. It'd be different if she was well and healthy like other people. Don't

ROBERT[Vaguely.] I could goand then send for you bothwhen I'd settled some place out there.

RUTHMa never could. She'd never leave the farm for anything; and she couldn't make a trip anywhere 'til

she got betterif she ever does. And oh, Rob, I wouldn't want to live in any of those outlandish places you

were going to. I couldn't stand it there, I know I couldn'tnot knowing anyone. It makes me afraid just to think

of it. I've never been away from here, hardly andI'm just a home body, I'm afraid. [She clings to him

imploringly.] Please don't gonot now. Tell them you've decided not to. They won't mind. I know your mother

and father'll be glad. They'll all be. They don't want you to go so far away from them. Please, Rob! We'll be

so happy here together where it's natural and we know things. Please tell me you won't go!

ROBERT[Face to face with a definite, final decision, betrays the conflict going on within

RUTHHe won't mind when he knows it's for your happiness to stay. How could he? [As ROBERT remains

ROBERT[Conquered by this appealan irrevocable decision in his voice.] I won't go, Ruth. I promise you.

There! Don't cry! [He presses her to him, stroking her hair tenderly. After a pause he speaks with happy

hopefulness.] Perhaps after all Andy was rightrighter than he knewwhen he said I could find all the things I

was seeking for here, at home on the farm. The mystery and the wonderour love should bring them home to

us. I think love must have been the secretthe secret that called to me from over the world's rimthe secret

beyond every horizon; and when I did not come, it came to me. [He clasps RUTH to him fiercely.] Oh, Ruth,

you are right! Our love is sweeter than any distant dream. It is the meaning of all life, the whole world. The

kingdom of heaven is withinus! [He kisses her passionately and steps to the ground, lifting RUTH in his arms

RUTH[Dismayed.] Oh, no, don't, Rob, not 'til after I've gone. Then you can tell your folks and I'll tell Ma

when I get her home. There'd be bound to be such a scene with them all together.

RUTHLet's go, then. [She takes his hand, and they start to go off left. ROBERT suddenly stops and turns as

ROBERT[Looking upward and pointing.] See! The first star. [He bends down and kisses her tenderly.] Our

RUTH[In a soft murmur.] Yes. Our very own star. [They stand for a moment looking up at it, their arms

around each other. Then RUTH takes his hand again and starts to lead him away.] Come, Rob, let's go. [His

eyes are fixed again on the horizon as he half turns to follow her. RUTH urges.] We'll be late for supper,

ROBERT[Shakes his head impatiently, as though he were throwing off some disturbing thoughtwith a

laugh.] All right. We'll run then. Come on! [They run off laughing as [The Curtain Falls]

SCENEThe sitting room of the Mayo farm house about nine o'clock the same night. On the left, two

windows looking out on the fields. Against the wall between the windows, an oldfashioned walnut desk. In

the left corner, rear, a sideboard with a mirror. In the rear wall to the right of the sideboard, a window looking

out on the road. Next to the window a door leading out into the yard. Farther right, a black horsehair sofa,

and another door opening on a bedroom. In the corner, a straightbacked chair. In the right wall, near the

middle, an open doorway leading to the kitchen. Farther forward a doubleheater stove with coal scuttle, etc.

In the center of the newly carpeted floor, an oak diningroom table with a red cover. In the center of the

table, a large oil reading lamp. Four chairs, three rockers with crocheted tidies on their backs, and one

straightbacked, are placed about the table. The walls are papered a dark red with a scrollyfigured pattern.

Everything in the room is clean, wellkept, and in its exact place, yet there is no suggestion of primness

about the whole. Rather the atmosphere is one of the orderly comfort of a simple, hardearned prosperity,

JAMES MAYO, his wife, her brother, CAPTAIN DICK SCOTT, and ANDREW are discovered. MRS.

MAYO is a slight, roundfaced, rather primlooking woman of fiftyfive who had once been a school

teacher. The labors of a farmer's wife have bent but not broken her, and she retains a certain refinement of

movement and expression foreign to the Mayo part of the family. Whatever of resemblance ROBERT has to

his parents may be traced to her. Her brother, the CAPTAIN, is short and stocky, with a weatherbeaten,

jovial face and a white moustachea typical old salt, loud of voice and given to gesture. He is fiftyeight years

JAMES MAYO sits in front of the table. He wears spectacles, and a farm journal which he has been reading

lies in his lap. THE CAPTAIN leans forward from a chair in the rear, his hands on the table in front of him.

ANDREW is tilted back on the straightbacked chair to the left, his chin sunk forward on his chest, staring at

As the Curtain rises the CAPTAIN is just finishing the relation of some sea episode. The others are

pretending an interest which is belied by the absentminded expressions on their faces.

THE CAPTAIN[Chuckling.] And that mission woman, she hails me on the dock as I was acomin' ashore,

and she sayswith her silly face all screwed up serious as judgment"Captain," she says, "would you be so kind

as to tell me where the seagulls sleeps at nights?" Blow me if them warn't her exact words! [He slaps the

table with the palm of his hands and laughs loudly. The others force smiles.] Ain't that just like a fool

woman's question? And I looks at her serious as I could, "Ma'm," says I, "I couldn't rightly answer that

question. I ain't never seed a seagull in his bunk yet. The next time I hears one snorin'," I says, "I'll make a

note of where he's turned in, and write you a letter 'bout it." And then she calls me a fool real spiteful and

tacks away from me quick. [He laughs again uproariously.] So I got rid of her that way. [The others smile

MRS. MAYO[Absentmindedlyfeeling that she has to say something.] But when it comes to that, where do

SCOTT[Slapping the table.] Ho! Ho! Listen to her, James. 'Nother one! Well, if that don't beat all hell'scuse

MAYO[With a twinkle in his eyes.] They unhitch their wings, Katey, and spreads 'em out on a wave for a

SCOTTAnd then they tells the fish to whistle to 'em when it's time to turn out. Ho! Ho!

MRS. MAYO[With a forced smile.] You men folks are too smart to live, aren't you? [She resumes her

SCOTT[Looks from one to the other of them with a puzzled air. Finally he is unable to bear the thick silence

a minute longer, and blurts out:] You folks look as if you was settin' up with a corpse. [With exaggerated

MAYO[Sharply.] Don't play the dunce, Dick! You know as well as we do there ain't no great cause to be

SCOTT[Argumentatively.] And there ain't no cause to be wearin' mourning, either, I can make out.

MRS. MAYO[Indignantly.] How can you talk that way, Dick Scott, when you're taking our Robbie away

from us, in the middle of the night, you might say, just to get on that old boat of yours on time! I think you

SCOTT[Appealing to the others hopelessly.] Ain't that a woman's way o' seein' things for you? God

A'mighty, Kate, I can't give orders to the tide that it's got to be high just when it suits me to have it. I ain't

gettin' no fun out o' missin' sleep and leavin' here at six bells myself. [Protestingly.] And the Sunda ain't an

old shipleastways, not very oldand she's good's she ever was. Your boy Robert'll be as safe on board o' her as

MRS. MAYOHow can you say that, Dick, when we read in almost every paper about wrecks and storms,

SCOTTYou've got to take your chances with such things. They don't happen oftennot nigh as often as

MRS. MAYO[Her lips trembling.] I wish Robbie weren't goingnot so far away and for so long.

MRS. MAYO[Rebelliously.] Well, I do wish he wasn't! It'd be different if he'd ever been away from home

before for any length of time. If he was healthy and strong too, it'd be different. I'm so afraid he'll be taken

MAYOThat's the very reason you was willin' for him to go, Katey'count o' your bein' 'fraid for his health.

MRS. MAYO[Illogically.] But he seems to be all right now without Dick taking him away.

SCOTT[Protestingly.] You'd think to hear you, Kate, that I was kidnappin' Robert agin your will. Now I ain't

asayin' I ain't tickled to death to have him along, because I be. It's a'mighty lonesome for a captain on a sailin'

vessel at times, and Robert'll be company for me. But what I'm sayin' is, I didn't propose it. I never even

suspicioned that he was hankerin' to ship out, or that you'd let him go 'til you and James speaks to me 'bout it.

SCOTTYou shouldn't be taking it so hard, 's far as I kin see. This vige'll make a man of him. I'll see to it he

learns how to navigate, 'n' study for a mate's c'tificate right offand it'll give him a trade for the rest of his life,

MRS. MAYO.But I don't want him to travel all his life. You've got to see he comes home when this trip is

over. Then he'll be all well, and he'll want toto marry[ANDREW sits forward in his chair with an abrupt

SCOTTWell, in any case it won't hurt him to learn things when he's travellin'. And then he'll get to see a lot

of the world in the ports we put in at, 'n' that 'll help him afterwards, no matter what he takes up.

MRS. MAYO[Staring down at the knitting in her lapas if she hadn't heard him.] I never realized how hard it

was going to be for me to have Robbie goor I wouldn't have considered it a minute. [On the verge of

MRS. MAYO[Halfsobbing.] It's all right for you to talk. You've never had any children of your own, and

you don't know what it means to be parted from themand Robbie my youngest, too. [ANDREW frowns and

MAYO[A trace of command in his voice.] No use takin' on so, Katey! It's best for the boy. We've got to take

that into considerationno matter how much we hate to lose him. [Firmly.] And like Dick says, it's all settled

ANDREW[Suddenly turning to them.] There's one thing none of you seem to take into considerationthat Rob

wants to go. He's dead set on it. He's been dreaming over this trip ever since it was first talked about. It

wouldn't be fair to him not to have him go. [A sudden thought seems to strike him and he continues

doubtfully.] At least, not if he still feels the same way about it he did when he was talking to me this evening.

MAYO[With an air of decision.] Andy's right, Katey. Robert wants to go. That ends all argyment, you can

MAYO[Looking at his big silver watch.] It's past nine. Wonder what's happened to Robert. He's been gone

long enough to wheel the widder to home, certain. He can't be out dreamin' at the stars his last night.

MRS. MAYO[A bit reproachfully.] Why didn't you wheel Mrs. Atkins back tonight, Andy? You usually do

ANDREW[Avoiding her eyes.] I thought maybe Robert wanted to go tonight. He offered to go right away

ANDREW[Gets to his feet.] Well, he'll be right back, I guess. [He turns to his father.] Guess I'll go take a

SCOTT[As he goes outin a low tone.] There's the boy that would make a good, strong seafarin' manif he'd a

MAYO[Sharply.] Don't you put no such fool notions in Andy's head, Dickor you 'n' me's goin' to fall out.

[Then he smiles.] You couldn't tempt him, no ways. Andy's a Mayo bred in the bone, and he's a born farmer,

and a damn good one, too. He'll live and die right here on this farm, like I expect to. [With proud

confidence.] And he'll make this one of the slickest, bestpayin' farms in the state, too, afore he gits through!

MAYO[Shaking his head.] It's too small. We need more land to make it amount to much, and we ain't got the

capital to buy it. [ANDREW enters from the kitchen. His hat is on, and he carries a lighted lantern in his

ANDREW[Opens the door and pauses.] Anything else you can think of to be done, Pa?

MRS. MAYO[After a pause.] What's come over Andy tonight, I wonder? He acts so strange.

MAYOHe does seem sort o' glum and out of sorts. It's 'count o' Robert leavin', I s'pose. [To SCOTT.] Dick,

you wouldn't believe how them boys o' mine sticks together. They ain't like most brothers. They've been thick

MRS. MAYO[Pursuing her train of thought.] Did you notice, James, how queer everyone was at supper?

Robert seemed stirred up about something; and Ruth was so flustered and giggly; and Andy sat there dumb,

looking as if he'd lost his best friend; and all of them only nibbled at their food.

MAYO[After a pausefrowning.] I hope her and Andy ain't had a serious fallin'out. I always sorter hoped

they'd hitch up together sooner or later. What d'you say, Dick? Don't you think them two'd pair up well?

MAYOIt'd be a good thing for Andy in more ways than one. I ain't what you'd call calculatin' generally, and I

b'lieve in lettin' young folks run their affairs to suit themselves; but there's advantages for both o' them in this

match you can't overlook in reason. The Atkins farm is right next to ourn. Jined together they'd make a

jimdandy of a place, with plenty o' room to work in. And bein' a widder with only a daughter, and laid up all

the time to boot, Mrs. Atkins can't do nothin' with the place as it ought to be done. Her hired help just goes

along as they pleases, in spite o' her everlastin' complainin' at 'em. She needs a man, a firstclass farmer, to

MAYOYou don't? Well, maybe a woman's eyes is sharper in such things, butthey're always together. And if

MAYO[As MRS. MAYO shakes her head.] You seem mighty fixed in your opinion, Katey. How d'you

MAYO[A light breaking over him.] You don't mean to say[MRS. MAYO nods. MAYO chuckles

scornfully.] Shucks! I'm losin' my respect for your eyesight, Katey. Why, Robert ain't got no time for Ruth,

MRS. MAYO[Warningly.] Ssshh! [The door from the yard opens, and ROBERT enters. He is smiling

happily, and humming a song to himself, but as he comes into the room an undercurrent of nervous

MAYOSo here you be at last! [ROBERT comes forward and sits on ANDY'S chair. MAYO smiles slyly at his

wife.] What have you been doin' all this timecountin' the stars to see if they all come out right and proper?

MAYO[Reproachfully.] You might've even not wasted time lookin' for that oneyour last night.

MRS. MAYO[As if she were speaking to a child.] You ought to have worn your coat a sharp night like this,

SCOTT[Disgustedly.] God A'mighty, Kate, you treat Robert as if he was one year old!

SCOTT[With joking severity.] You'll learn to forget all that baby coddlin' nights down off the Horn when

you're haulin' hellbent on the braces with a green sea up to your neck, and the old hooker doin'

MRS. MAYO[Indignantly.] What are you trying to do, Dick Scottfrighten me out of my senses? If you can't

MRS. MAYOYou have strange notions of what's a joke, I must say! [She notices ROBERT'S nervous

ROBERT[Swallowing hard, looks quickly from one to the other of themthen begins determinedly.] Yes,

there is somethingsomething I must tell youall of you. [As he begins to talk ANDREW enters quietly from the

rear, closing the door behind him, and setting the lighted lantern on the floor. He remains standing by the

door, his arms folded, listening to ROBERT with a repressed expression of pain on his face. ROBERT is so

much taken up with what he is going to say that he does not notice ANDREW'S presence.] Something I

discovered only this eveningvery beautiful and wonderfulsomething I did not take into consideration

previously because I hadn't dared to hope that such happiness could ever come to me. [Appealingly.] You

ROBERTYou were offended because you thought I'd been wasting my time stargazing on my last night at

home. [With a trace of defiance.] Well, the point is this, Pa; it isn't my last night at home. I'm not goingI

MAYO[Severely.] Seems to me it's a pretty late hour in the day for you to be upsettin' all your plans so

ROBERTI asked you to remember that until this evening I didn't know myselfthe wonder which makes

everything else in the world seem sordid and pitifully selfish by comparison. I had never dared to dream

ROBERT[Flushing.] Ruth told me this evening thatshe loved me. It was after I'd confessed I loved her. I

told her I hadn't been conscious of my love until after the trip had been arranged, and I realized it would

meanleaving her. That was the truth. I didn't know until then. [As if justifying himself to the others.] I hadn't

intended telling her anything butsuddenlyI felt I must. I didn't think it would matter, because I was going

away, and before I came back I was sure she'd have forgotten. And I thought she lovedsomeone else.

[Slowlyhis eyes shining.] And then she cried and said it was I she'd loved all the time, but I hadn't seen it.

[Simply.] So we're going to be marriedvery soonand I'm happyand that's all there is to say. [Appealingly.] But

MRS. MAYO[Getting up from her chair.] Of course not! [Rushes over and throws her arms about him.] I

knew it! I was just telling your father when you came inand, Oh, Robbie, I'm so happy you're not going!

MAYO[Bewilderedly.] Well, I'll be damned! You do beat all for gettin' folks' minds all tangled up, Robert.

MRS. MAYO[Hurriedlyin a tone of warning.] Never mind what you were thinking, James. It wouldn't be

any use telling us that now. [Meaningly.] And what you were hoping for turns out just the same almost,

MAYO[Thoughtfullybeginning to see this side of the argument.] Yes; I suppose you're right, Katey.

[Scratching his head in puzzlement.] But how it ever come about! It do beat anything ever I heard. [Finally

he gets up with a sheepish grin and walks over to ROBERT.] We're glad you ain't goin', your Ma and I, for

we'd have missed you terrible, that's certain and sure; and we're glad you've found happiness. Ruth's a fine

ANDREW[His face tense and drawn comes forward and holds out his hand, forcing a smile.] I guess it's my

ROBERT[With a startled cry when his brother appears before him so suddenly.] Andy! [Confused.] WhyII

ANDREWI heard everything you said; and here's wishing you every happiness, you and Ruth. You both

ROBERT[Taking his hand.] Thanks, Andy, it's fine of you to[His voice dies away as he sees the pain in

ANDREW[Giving his brother's hand a final grip.] Good luck to you both! [He turns away and goes back to

the rear when he bends over the lantern, fumbling with it to hide his emotion from the others.]

MRS. MAYO[To the CAPTAIN, who has been too flabbergasted by ROBERT'S decision to say a

SCOTT[Embarrassed.] Of course I be! [He gets to his feet and shakes ROBERT'S hand, muttering a

vague] Luck to you, boy. [He stands beside ROBERT as if he wanted to say something more but doesn't know

SCOTTSo you're not acomin' on the Sunda with me? [His voice indicates disbelief.]

ROBERTI can't, Unclenot now. I'm very grateful to you for having wanted to take me. I wouldn't miss it for

anything else in the world under any other circumstances. [He sighs unconsciously.] But you see I've founda

MRS. MAYO[Sharply.] How can you propose such a crazy idea, Dickto take a young girl on a sailboat all

over the world and not a woman on the boat but herself. Have you lost your senses?

ROBERT[Regretfully.] It would be wonderful if we could both go with you, Unclebut it's impossible. Ruth

couldn't go on account of her mother, and besides, I'm afraid she doesn't like the idea of the sea.

SCOTT[Putting all his disapproval into an exclamation.] Humph! [He goes back and sits down at the table.]

ROBERT[In joyous high spirits.] I want you all to understand one thingI'm not going to be a loafer on your

hands any longer. This means the beginning of a new life for me in every way. I'm sick and disgusted at

myself for sitting around and seeing everyone else hard at work, while all I've been doing is keep the

accountsa couple of hours work a week! I'm going to settle right down and take a real interest in the farm, and

do my share. I'll prove to you, Pa, that I'm as good a Mayo as you areor Andy, when I want to be.

MAYO[Kindly but skeptically.] That's the right spirit, Robert, but it ain't needful for you to

MRS. MAYO[Interrupting him.] No one said you weren't doing your part, Robbie. You've got to look out for

ROBERTI know what you're going to say, and that's another false idea you've got to get out of your heads.

It's ridiculous for you to persist in looking on me as an invalid. I'm as well as anyone, and I'll prove it to you

if you'll give me half a chance. Once I get the hang of it, I'll be able to do as hard a day's work as any one.

ROBERTThen I'm going to start learning right away, and you'll teach me, won't you?

MAYO[Mollifyingly.] Of course I will, boy, and be glad to, only you'd best go easy at first.

ROBERTWith the two farms to look after, you'll need me; and when I marry Ruth I'll have to know how to

SCOTT[Who has listened to this conversation in mingled consternation and amazement.] You don't mean to

SCOTT[More and more ruffled.] Then all I got to say is, you're a soft, weakwilled critter to be permittin' a

MAYO[Slyly amused.] It's just the same with me as 'twas with you, Dick. You can't order the tides on the

SCOTT[Scornfully.] Love! They ain't old enough to know love when they sight it! Love! I'm ashamed of

you, Robert, to go lettin' a little huggin' and kissin' in the dark spile your chances to make a man out o'

yourself. It ain't common senseno siree, it ain'tnot by a hell of a sight! [He pounds the table with his fists in

SCOTTHumph! You ain't got any sand, that's what! And you, James Mayo, lettin' boys and women run

MRS. MAYO[Laughing provokingly at her brother.] A fine one you are to be talking about love, Dickan old

SCOTT[Exasperated by their joking.] I've never been a damn fool like most, if that's what you're steerin' at.

MRS. MAYO[Tauntingly.] Sour grapes, aren't they, Dick? [She laughs. ROBERT and his father chuckle.

SCOTT sputters with annoyance.] Good gracious, Dick, you do act silly, flying into a temper over nothing.

SCOTT[Indignantly.] Nothin'! Is that what you call itnothin'? You talk as if I wasn't concerned nohow in this

here business. Seems to me I've got a right to have my say. Ain't I gone to all sorts o' trouble gettin' the sta'b'd

cabin all cleaned out and painted and fixed up so's that Robert o' yours 'd be comfortable? Ain't I made all

arrangements with the owners and stocked up with some special grub all on Robert's account?

SCOTT[Unplacated.] It's all right for you to say don't this and don't that; but you ain't seen things from my

side of it. I've been countin' sure on havin' Robert for company on this vigeto sorta talk to and show things to,

and teach, kinda, and I got my mind so set on havin' him I'm goin' to be double lonesome this vige. [He

pounds on the table, attempting to cover up this confession of weakness.] Darn all this silly lovin' business,

MRS. MAYO[Touched.] It's too bad you have to be so lonesome, Dick. Why don't you give up the old boat?

You've been on the sea long enough, heaven's knows. Why don't you make up your mind and settle down

SCOTT[Emphatically.] And go diggin' up the dirt and plantin' things? Not by a hell of a sight! You can have

all the darned dirt in the earth for all o' me. I ain't sayin' it ain't all rightif you're made that waybut I ain't. No

settlin' down for me. No sirree! [Irritably.] But all this talk ain't tellin' me what I'm to do with that sta'b'd

cabin I fixed up. It's all painted white, an a bran new mattress on the bunk, 'n' new sheets 'n' blankets 'n'

things. And Chips built in a bookcase so's Robert could take his books alongwith a slidin' bar fixed across't

it, mind, so's they couldn't fall out no matter how she rolled. [With excited consternation.] What d'you

suppose my officers is goin' to think when there's no one comes aboard to occupy that sta'b'd cabin? And the

men what did the work on itwhat'll they think? [He shakes his finger indignantly.] They're liable as not to

suspicion it was a woman I'd planned to ship along, and that she gave me the goby at the last moment! [He

wipes his perspiring brow in anguish at this thought.] Gawd A'mighty! They're only lookin' to have the laugh

on me for something like that. They're liable to b'lieve anything, those fellers is!

MAYO[With a wink.] Then there's nothing to it but for you to get right out and hunt up a wife somewheres

for that spic 'n' span cabin. She'll have to be a pretty one, too, to match it. [He looks at his watch with

ANDREW[Comes forward from where he has been standing by the door, rear, brooding. His face is set in a

look of grim determination.] You needn't worry about that spare cabin, Uncle Dick, if you've a mind to take

ROBERT[Turning to him quickly.] Andy! [He sees at once the fixed resolve in his brother's eyes, and

ANDREWYou've made your decision, Rob, and now I've made mine. You're out of this, remember.

ANDREWDon't interfere, Robthat's all I ask. [Turning to his uncle.] You haven't answered my question,

SCOTT[Clearing his throat, with an uneasy side glance at JAMES MAYO who is staring at his elder son as

if he thought he had suddenly gone mad.] O' course, I'd be glad to have you, Andy.

MRS. MAYODon't be a fool, Dick. Andy's only joking you. He wouldn't go for anything.

SCOTT[Disgruntledly.] It's hard to tell who's jokin' and who's not in this house.

ANDREW[Firmly.] I'm not joking, Uncle Dickand since I've got your permission, I'm going with you. [As

SCOTT looks at him uncertainly.] You needn't be afraid I'll go back on my word. When I say I'll go, I'll go.

ROBERT[Hurt by the insinuation he feels in ANDREW'S one.] Andy! That isn't fair!

MRS. MAYO[Beginning to be disturbed.] But I know he must be fooling us. Aren't you, Andy?

ANDREW[Facing his father.] I agree with you, Pa, and I tell you again, once and for all, that I've made up

MAYO[Dumbfoundedunable to doubt the determination in ANDREW'S voicehelplessly.] But why, son?

ANDREW[Evasively.] I've always wanted to go, even if I ain't said anything about it.

ANDREW[Halfangrily.] You shut up, Rob! I told you to keep out of this. [Turning to his father again.] I

didn't ever mention it because as long as Rob was going I knew it was no use; but now Rob's staying on here,

and Uncle Dick wants someone along with him, there isn't any reason for me not to go.

MAYO[Breathing hard.] No reason? Can you stand there and say that to me, Andrew?

MRS. MAYO[Hastilyseeing the gathering storm.] He doesn't mean a word of it, James.

MAYO[Making a gesture to her to keep silence.] Let me talk, Katey. [In a more kindly tone.] What's come

over you so sudden, Andy? You know's well as I do that it wouldn't be fair o' you to run off at a moment's

MAYO[Restraining his anger with an effort.] It sounds strange to hear you, Andy, that I always thought had

good sense, talkin' crazy like that. And you don't believe yourself one bit of what you've been sayin'not 'less

you've suddenly gone out of your mind. [Scornfully.] Get a man to take your place! Where'd I get him, tell

me, with the shortage of farm labor hereabouts? And if I could get one, what int'rest d'you suppose he'd take

beyond doin' as little work as he could for the money I paid him? You ain't been workin' here for no hire,

Andy, that you kin give me your notice to quit like you've done. The farm is your'n as well as mine. You've

always worked on it with that understanding; and what you're sayin' you intend doin' is just skulkin' out o'

ANDREW[Looking at the floorsimply.] I'm sorry, Pa. [After a slight pause.] It's no use talking any more

ANDREWYes. I'm going. I want toandI've got to. [He looks at his father defiantly.] I feel I oughtn't to miss

MAYO[With bitter scorn.] Soyou want to go out into the world and see thin's! [His voice raised and

quivering with anger.] I never thought I'd live to see the day when a son o' mine 'd look me in the face and

tell a barefaced lie! [Bursting out.] You're a liar, Andy Mayo, and a mean one to boot!

ANDREW[His face flushed.] I won't argue with you, Pa. You can think as badly of me as you like. I can't

help that. Let's not talk about it any more. I've made up my mind, and nothing you can say will change it.

MAYO[Shaking his finger at ANDY, in a cold rage.] You know I'm speakin' truththat's why you're afraid to

argy! You lie when you say you want to go 'wayand see things! You ain't got no likin' in the world to go.

Your place is right here on this farmthe place you was born to by natureand you can't tell me no different. I've

watched you grow up, and I know your ways, and they're my ways. You're runnin' against your own nature,

and you're goin' to be a'mighty sorry for it if you do. You're tryin' to pretend to me something that don't fit in

with your makeup, and it's damn fool pretendin' if you think you're foolin' me. 'S if I didn't know your real

reason for runnin' away! And runnin' away's the only words to fit it. You're runnin' away 'cause you're put out

ANDREW[His face crimsontensely.] Stop, Pa! I won't stand hearing thatnot even from you!

MRS. MAYO[Rushing to ANDY and putting her arms about him protectingly.] Don't mind him, Andy dear.

He don't mean a word he's saying! [ROBERT stands rigidly, his hands clenched, his face contracted by pain.

SCOTT sits dumbfounded and openmouthed. ANDREW soothes his mother who is on the verge of tears.]

MAYO[In angry triumph.] It's the truth, Andy Mayo! And you ought to be bowed in shame to think of it!

ROBERT[Protestingly.] Pa! You've gone far enough. It's a shame for you to talk that way!

MRS. MAYO[Coming from ANDREW to his father; puts her hands on his shoulders as though to try and

push him back in the chair from which he has risen.] Won't you be still, James? Please won't you?

MAYO[Looking at ANDREW over his wife's shoulderstubbornly.] The truthGod's truth!

MRS. MAYOShhh! [She tries to put a finger across his lips, but he twists his head away.]

ANDREW[Who has regained control over himself.] You're wrong, Pa, it isn't truth. [With defiant

assertiveness.] I don't love Ruth. I never loved her, and the thought of such a thing never entered my head.

ANDREW[Losing his temperbitterly.] I suppose it'd be hard for you to explain anyone's wanting to leave

this blessed farm except for some outside reason like that. You think these few measly acres are heaven, and

that none'd want to ever do nothing in all their lives but stay right here and work like a dog all the time. But

I'm sick and tired of itwhether you want to believe me or notand that's why I'm glad to get a chance to move

on. I've been sick and tired of farm life for a long time, and if I hadn't said anything about it, it was only to

save your feelings. Just because you love it here, you've got your mind set that I like it, too. You want me to

stay on so's you can know that I'll be taking care of the rotten farm after you're gone. Well, Rob'll be here,

ANDREW[Sulkily.] I don't care. I've done my share of work here. I've earned my right to quit when I want

to. [Suddenly overcome with anger and grief; with rising intensity.] I'm sick and tired of the whole damn

business. I hate the farm and every inch of ground in it. I'm sick of digging in the dirt and sweating in the sun

like a slave without getting a word of thanks for it. [Tears of rage starting to his eyeshoarsely.] I'm through,

through for good and all; and if Uncle Dick won't take me on his ship, I'll find another. I'll get away

MRS. MAYO[In a frightened voice.] Don't you answer him, James. He doesn't know what he's saying to

you. Don't say a word to him 'til he's in his right senses again. Please James, don't

MAYO[Pushes her away from him; his face is drawn and pale with the violence of his passion. He glares at

ANDREW as if he hated him.] You dare toyou dare to speak like that to me? You talk like that 'bout this

farmthe Mayo farmwhere you was bornyouyou[He clenches his fist above his head and advances

MRS. MAYO[With a shriek.] James! [She covers her face with her hands and sinks weakly into MAYO'S

SCOTT[Starting to his feet and stretching his arms across the table toward MAYO.] Easy there, Jim!

MAYO[Grabs ROBERT'S arm and pushes him asidethen stands for a moment gasping for breath before

ANDREW. He points to the door with a shaking finger.] Yesgo!go!You're no son o' mineno son o' mine! You

can go to hell if you want to! Don't let me find you herein the mornin'ororI'll throw you out!

MAYO[Turning on him furiously.] Shut up, youyou Dick! It's your faulta lot o' thisyou and your cussed ship!

Don't you take himif you dodon't you dare darken this door again. Let him go by himself and learn to

starvestarve! [He gulps convulsively and turns again to ANDREW.] And you gotomorrow mornin'and by

Goddon't come backdon't dare come backby God, not while I'm livin'or I'llI'll[He shakes over his muttered

MRS. MAYO[Rising and throwing her arms around himhysterically.] James! James! Where are you going?

MAYO[Incoherently.] I'm goin'to bed, Katey. It's late, Kateyit's late. [He goes out.]

MRS. MAYO[Following him, pleading hysterically.] James! Take back what you've said to Andy. James!

[She follows him out. ROBERT and the CAPTAIN stare after them with horrified eyes. ANDREW stands

SCOTT[The first to find his voicewith an explosive sigh.] Well, if he ain't the devil himself when he's

roused! You oughtn't to have talked to him that way, Andy 'bout the damn farm, knowin' how touchy he is

about it. [With another sigh.] Well, you won't mind what he's said in anger. He'll be sorry for it when he's

ANDREW[In a dead voice.] No, he won't. You don't know him. [Defiantly.] What's said is said and can't be

ANDREW[Stubbornly.] I haven't said I've changed my mind, have I? There's all the reason in the world for

ROBERT[With violent protest.] Andy! You can't! Don't be a fool! This is all so stupidand terrible.

ANDREW[Coldly.] I'll talk to you in a minute, Rob, when we're alone. This is between Uncle and me.

[Crushed by his brother's cold indifference, ROBERT sinks down into a chair, holding his head in his hands.

ANDREW turns again to SCOTT.] If you don't want to take me, it's all rightthere's no hard feelings. I can

SCOTT[Indignantly.] Gawd A'mighty, Andy, I ain't scared o' your Pa, nor no man livin,' I want t'have you

come along! Only I was thinkin' o' Kate. We don't want her to have to suffer from his contrariness. Let's see.

[He screws up his brows in thought.] S'posing we both lie a little, eh? I'll tell 'em you're not comin' with me,

and you tell 'em you're goin' to the port to get another ship. We can leave here in the team together. That's

natural enough. They can't suspect nothin' from that. And then you can write home the first port we touch and

SCOTT[With a great sigh of reliefcomes and slaps ANDREW on the backbeaming.] I'm damned glad you're

shippin' on, Andy. I like your spirit, and the way you spoke up to him. [Lowering his voice to a cautious

whisper.] You was right not to want to waste your life plowin' dirt and pattin' it down again. The sea's the

place for a young feller like you that isn't half dead 'n' alive. [He gives ANDY a final approving slap.] You'n'

me 'll get along like twins, see if we don't. I'm durned glad you're comin', boy.

SCOTTRight! I'm goin' aloft to turn in, and leave you two alone. Don't forget to pack your dunnage. And git

some sleep, if you kin. We'll want to sneak out extra early b'fore they're up. It'll do away with more

argyments. Robert can drive us down to the town, and bring back the team. [He goes to the door in the rear,

ANDREWGood night. [SCOTT goes out. The two brothers remain silent for a moment. Then ANDREW

comes over to his brother and puts a hand on his back. He speaks in a low voice, full of feeling.] Buck up,

Rob. It ain't any use crying over spilt milk; and it'll all turn out for the bestlet's hope. It couldn't be

ANDREWOf course it's a lie. You know it and I know it,but that's all ought to know it.

ROBERTPa'll never forgive you. Oh, why did you want to anger him like that? You know how he feels

about the farm. Oh, the whole affair is so senselessand tragic. Why did you think you must go away?

ANDREWYou know better than to ask that. You know why. [Fiercely.] I can wish you and Ruth all the

good luck in the world, and I do, and I mean it; but you can't expect me to stay around here and watch you

two together, day after dayand me alone. You couldn't expect that! I couldn't stand itnot after all the plans I'd

made to happen on this place thinking[His voice breaks.] Thinking she cared for me.

ROBERT[Putting a hand on his brother's arm.] God! It's horrible! I feel so guiltyto think that I should be

the cause of your suffering, after we've been such pals all our lives. If I could have foreseen what'd happen, I

ANDREWI know you wouldn't; and that would've been worse, for Ruth would've suffered then. [He pats his

brother's shoulder.] It's best as it is. It had to be, and I've got to stand the gaff, that's all. Pa'll see how I

feltafter a time. [As ROBERT shakes his head]and if he don'twell, it can't be helped.

ANDREW[Fiercely.] I've got to goto get away! I've got to, I tell you. I'd die here. I'd kill myself! Can't you

understand what it'd mean to me, how I'd suffer? You don't know how I'd plannedfor Ruth and methe hopes

I'd had about what the future'd be like. You can't blame me to go. You'd do the same yourself. I'd go crazy

here, bein' reminded every second of the day how my life's been smashed, and what a fool I'd made of

myself. I'd have nothing to hope or live for. I've got to get away and try and forget, if I can. I never could stay

hereseeing her. And I'd hate the farm if I stayed, hate it for bringin' things back. I couldn't take interest in the

work any more, work with no purpose in sight. Can't you see what a hell it'd be? You love her too, Rob. Put

yourself in my place, and remember I haven't stopped loving her, and couldn't if I was to stay. Would that be

fair to you or to her? Put yourself in my place. [He shakes his brother fiercely by the shoulder.] What'd you

do then? Tell me the truth! You love her. What'd you do? In spite of all hell, what'd you do?

ROBERT[Chokingly.] I'dI'd go, Andy! [He buries his face in his hands with a shuddering sob.] God!

ANDREW[Seeming to relax suddenly all over his bodyin a low, steady voice.] Then you know why I got to

ROBERT[In a frenzy of rebellion.] Why did this have to happen to us? It's damnable! [He looks about him

ANDREW[Soothinglyagain putting his hands on his brother's shoulder.] It's no use fussing any more, Rob.

It's done. [Affectionately.] You'll forget anything I said to hurt when I was mad, won't you? I wanted to keep

ROBERTOh, Andy, it's me who ought to be asking your forgiveness for the suffering I've brought on you.

ANDREW[Forcing a smile.] I guess Ruth's got a right to have who she likes; you ain't to blame for that. She

ANDREW[Interrupting him quickly.] Shut up! Let's go to bed. We've talked long enough, and I've got to be

ANDREW[Turning down the lamp.] And I've got to pack yet. [He yawns with utter weariness.] I'm as tired

as if I'd been plowing twentyfour hours at a stretch. [Dully.] I feeldead. [ROBERT covers his face again

with his hands. ANDREW shakes his head as if to get rid of his thoughts, and continues with a poor attempt

at cheery briskness.] I'm going to douse the light. Come on. [He slaps his brother on the back. ROBERT does

not move. ANDREW bends over and blows out the lamp. His voice comes from the darkness.] Don't sit there

mourning, Rob. It'll all come out in the wash. Come on and get some sleep. Everything 'll turn out all right in

the end. [ROBERT can be heard stumbling to his feet, and the dark figures of the two brothers can be seen

SCENESame as Act One, Scene Two. Sitting room of the farm house about half past twelve in the afternoon

of a hot, sunbaked day in midsummer, three years later. All the windows are open, but no breeze stirs the

soiled white curtains. A patched screen door is in the rear. Through it the yard can be seen, its small stretch of

lawn divided by the dirt path leading to the door from the gate in the white picket fence which borders the

The room has changed, not so much in its outward appearance as in its general atmosphere. Little significant

details give evidence of carelessness, of inefficiency, of an industry gone to seed. The chairs appear shabby

from lack of paint; the table cover is spotted and askew; holes show in the curtains; a child's doll, with one

arm gone, lies under the table; a hoe stands in a corner; a man's coat is flung on the couch in the rear; the desk

is cluttered up with odds and ends; a number of books are piled carelessly on the sideboard. The noon

enervation of the sultry, scorching day seems to have penetrated indoors, causing even inanimate objects to

A place is set at the end of the table, left, for someone's dinner. Through the open door to the kitchen comes

the clatter of dishes being washed, interrupted at intervals by a woman's irritated voice and the peevish

At the rise of the curtain MRS. MAYO and MRS. ATKINS are discovered sitting facing each other, MRS.

MAYO to the rear, MRS. ATKINS to the right of the table. MRS. MAYO'S face has lost all character,

disintegrated, become a weak mask wearing a helpless, doleful expression of being constantly on the verge of

comfortless tears. She speaks in an uncertain voice, without assertiveness, as if all power of willing had

deserted her. MRS. ATKINS is in her wheel chair. She is a thin, palefaced, unintelligent looking woman of

about fortyeight, with hard, bright eyes. A victim of partial paralysis for many years, condemned to be

pushed from day to day of her life in a wheel chair, she has developed the selfish, irritable nature of the

chronic invalid. Both women are dressed in black. MRS. ATKINS knits nervously as she talks. A ball of

MRS. ATKINS[With a disapproving glance at the place set on the table.] Robert's late for his dinner again,

as usual. I don't see why Ruth puts up with it, and I've told her so. Many's the time I've said to her "It's about

time you put a stop to his nonsense. Does he suppose you're runnin' a hotelwith no one to help with things?"

But she don't pay no attention. She's as bad as he is, a'mostthinks she knows better than an old, sick body like

MRS. ATKINS[With a snort.] Can't help it! How you do go on, Kate, findin' excuses for him! Anybody can

help anything they've a mind toas long as they've got health, and ain't rendered helpless like me, [She adds as

MRS. ATKINSCan't! It do make me mad, Kate Mayo, to see folks that God gave all the use of their limbs to

potterin' round and wastin' time doin' every thing the wrong wayand me powerless to help and at their mercy,

you might say. And it ain't that I haven't pointed the right way to 'em. I've talked to Robert thousands of times

and told him how things ought to be done. You know that, Kate Mayo. But d'you s'pose he takes any notice

of what I say? Or Ruth, eithermy own daughter? No, they think I'm a crazy, cranky old woman, half dead

a'ready, and the sooner I'm in the grave and out o' their way the better it'd suit them.

MRS. MAYOYou mustn't talk that way, Sarah. They're not as wicked as that. Add you've got years and

MRS. ATKINSYou're like the rest, Kate. You don't know how near the end I am. Well, at least I can go to

my eternal rest with a clear conscience. I've done all a body could do to avert ruin from this house. On their

MRS. MAYO[With hopeless indifference.] Things might be worse. Robert never had any experience in

MRS. ATKINS[Snappily.] He's had three years to learn, and he's gettin' worse 'stead of better. He hasn't got

it in him, that's what; and I do say it to you, Kate Mayo, even if he is your son. He doesn't want to learn.

Everything I've told him he's that pigheaded he's gone and done the exact opposite. And now look where

things are! They couldn't be worse, spite o' what you say. Not on'y your place but mine too is driftin' to rack

and ruin, and I can't do nothin' to prevent, 'cause Ruth backs him up in his folly and shiftlessness.

MRS. MAYO[With a spark of assertiveness.] You can't say but Robbie works hard, Sarah.

MRS. ATKINSWhat good's workin' hard if it don't accomplish anythin', I'd like to know?

MRS. ATKINSSay what you've a mind to, Kate, the proof of the puddin's in the eatin'; and you can't deny

that things have been goin' from bad to worse ever since your husband died two years back.

MRS. MAYO[Wiping tears from her eyes with her handkerchief.] It was God's will that he should be taken.

MRS. ATKINS[Triumphantly.] It was God's punishment on James Mayo for the blasphemin' and denyin' of

God he done all his sinful life! [MRS. MAYO begins to weep softly.] There, Kate, I shouldn't be remindin'

MRS. ATKINS[Ignoring this remark.] What I was sayin' was that since Robert's been in charge things've

been goin' down hill steady. You don't know how bad they are. Robert don't let on to you what's happinin';

and you'd never see it yourself if 'twas under your nose. But, thank God, Ruth still comes to me once in a

while for advice when she's worried near out of her senses by his goin'son. Do you know what she told me

last night? But I forgot, she said not to tell youstill I think you've got a right to know, and it's my duty not to

MRS. ATKINS[Bending over toward herin a low voice.] Ruth was almost crazy about it. Robert told her

he'd have to mortgage the farmsaid he didn't know how he'd pull through 'til harvest without it, and he can't

get money any other way. [She straightens upindignantly.] Now what do you think of your Robert?

MRS. ATKINSYou don't mean to say you're goin' to sign away your farm, Kate Mayoafter me warnin' you?

MRS. ATKINS[Holding up her hands.] Well, of all the foolishness!well, it's your farm, not mine, and I've

MRS. MAYOMaybe Robbie'll manage till Andy gets back and sees to things. It can't be long now.

MRS. ATKINS[With keen interest.] Ruth says Andy ought to turn up any day. When does Robert figger he'll

MRS. MAYOHe says he can't calculate exactly on account o' the Sunda being a sail boat. Last letter he got

was from England, the day they were sailing for home. That was over a month ago, and Robbie thinks they're

MRS. ATKINSWe can give praise to God then that he'll be back in the nick o' time. I've got confidence in

Andy and always did have, when it comes to farmin'; and he ought to be tired of travellin' and anxious to get

MRS. MAYOAndy has been working. He's head officer on Dick's boat, he wrote Robbie. You know that.

MRS. ATKINSThat foolin' on ships is all right for a spell, but he must be right sick of it by this. Andy's got

to the age where it's time he took hold of things serious and got this farm workin' as it ought to be again.

MRS. MAYO[Musingly.] I wonder if he's changed much. He used to be so finelooking and strong. [With a

sigh.] Three years! It seems more like three hundred. [Her eyes fillingpiteously.] Oh, if James could only

MRS. ATKINSHe never would havenot James Mayo! Didn't he keep his heart hardened against him till the

MRS. MAYO[With a feeble flash of anger.] Don't you dare say that! [Brokenly.] Oh, I know deep down in

his heart he forgave Andy, though he was too stubborn ever to own up to it. It was that brought on his

deathbreaking his heart just on account of his stubborn pride. [She wipes her eyes with her handkerchief and

MRS. ATKINS[Piously.] It was the will of God. [The whining crying of the child sounds from the kitchen.

MRS. ATKINS frowns irritably.] Drat that young one! Seems as if she cries all the time on purpose to set a

MRS. MAYO[Wiping her eyes.] It's the heat upsets her. Mary doesn't feel any too well these days, poor little

MRS. ATKINSShe gets it right from her Pabein' sickly all the time. You can't deny Robert was always ailin'

as a child. [She sighs heavily.] It was a crazy mistake for them two to get married. I argyed against it at the

time, but Ruth was so spelled with Robert's wild poetry notions she wouldn't listen to sense. Andy was the

one would have been the match for her. I always thought so in those days, same as your James did; and I

know she liked Andy. Then 'long comes Robert with his booklearnin' and highfangled talkand off she goes

MRS. MAYOI've often thought since it might have been better the other way. But Ruth and Robbie seem

MRS. ATKINSAt any rate it was God's workand His will be done. [The two women sit in silence for a

moment. RUTH enters from the kitchen, carrying in her arms her two year old daughter, MARY, a pretty but

sickly and aenemic looking child with a tearstained face. RUTH has aged appreciably. Her face has lost its

youth and freshness. There is a trace in her expression of something hard and spiteful. She sits in the rocker

in front of the table and sighs wearily. She wears a gingham dress with a soiled apron tied around her waist.]

RUTHLand sakes, if this isn't a scorcher! That kitchen's like a furnace. Phew! [She pushes the damp hair

MARY[Sees the doll under the table and struggles on her mother's lap.] Mary wants Dolly, Mama! Give

MRS. ATKINS[Irritably.] Can't you keep that child still? Her racket's enough to split a body's ears. Put her

RUTH[Lifting MARY to the floor.] There! I hope you'll be satisfied and keep still. You're only to play for a

minute, remember. Then you've got to take your nap. [MARY sits down on the floor before the table and

plays with the doll in silence. RUTH glances at the place set on the table.] It's a wonder Rob wouldn't try to

get to meals on time once in a while. Does he think I've nothing to do on a hot day like this but stand in that

RUTH[Wearily.] I s'pose so. Something's always going wrong these days, it looks like.

MRS. ATKINS[Snappily.] It wouldn't if you possessed a bit of spunk. The idea of you permittin' him to

come in to meals at all hoursand you doin' the work! You ought to force him to have more consideration. I

never heard of such a thin'. You mind my words and let him go to the kitchen and get his own once in a

while, and see if he don't toe the mark. You're too easy goin', that's the trouble.

RUTHDo stop your nagging at me, Ma! I'm sick of hearing you. I'll do as I please about it; and thank you for

not interfering. [She wipes her moist foreheadwearily.] Phew! It's too hot to argue. Let's talk of something

RUTH[Brightening.] Rob says any day now he's liable to drop in and surprise ushim and the Captain. I

wonder if he's changed muchwhat he'll be like. It'll certainly look natural to see him around the farm again.

MRS. ATKINSLet's hope the farm'll look more natural, too, when he's had a hand at it. The way thin's are

RUTH[Irritably.] Will you stop harping on that, Ma? We all know things aren't as they might be. What's the

MRS. ATKINSThere, Kate Mayo! Ain't that just what I told you? I can't say a word of advice to my own

RUTH[Hopefully.] Oh, yes, I know he will. He always did know just the right thing ought to be done. [With

weary vexation.] It's a shame for him to come home and have to start in with things in such a topsyturvy.

MRS. ATKINS[Scornfully.] Hump! [She fans herself nervously.] Land o' Goshen, but it's bakin' in here!

Let's go out in under the trees in back where there's a breath of fresh air. Come, Kate. [MRS. MAYO gets up

obediently and starts to wheel the invalid's chair toward the screen door.] You better come too, Ruth. It'll do

you good. Learn him a lesson and let him get his own dinner. Don't be such a fool.

RUTH[Going and holding the screen door open for themlistlessly.] He wouldn't mind. He tells me never to

RUTHHe wouldn't mind that, either. He doesn't eat much. But I can't go anyway. I've got to put baby to bed.

MRS. ATKINSLet's go, Kate. I'm boilin' in here. [MRS. MAYO wheels her out and off left. RUTH comes

RUTH[Mechanically.] Come and let me take off your shoes and stockings, Mary, that's a good girl. You've

got to take your nap now. [The child continues to play as if she hadn't heard, absorbed in her doll. An eager

expression comes over RUTH'S tired face. She glances toward the door furtivelythen gets up and goes to the

desk. Her movements indicate a guilty fear of discovery. She takes a letter from a pigeon hole and retreats

swiftly to her chair with it. She opens the envelope and reads the letter with great interest, a flush of

excitement coming to her cheeks. ROBERT walks up the path and opens the screen door quietly and comes

into the room. He, too, has aged. His shoulders are stooped as if under too great a burden. His eyes are dull

and lifeless, his face burned by the sun and unshaven for days. Streaks of sweat have smudged the layer of

dust on his cheeks. His lips drawn down at the corners, give him a hopeless, resigned expression. The three

years have accentuated the weakness of his mouth and chin. He is dressed in overalls, laced boots, and a

ROBERT[Throwing his hat over on the sofawith a great sigh of exhaustion.] Phew! The sun's hot today!

[RUTH is startled. At first she makes an instinctive motion as if to hide the letter in her bosom. She

immediately thinks better of this and sits with the letter in her hands looking at him with defiant eyes. He

ROBERT[Swinging her up above his headlovingly.] And how's this little girl of mine this hot day, eh?

RUTH[In annoyance.] Don't do that to her! You know it's time for her nap and you'll get her all waked up;

ROBERT[Sitting down in the chair on the left of table and cuddling MARY on his lap.] You needn't bother.

ROBERT[With a sigh.] Yes, I was forgetting. [He glances at the open letter on RUTH'S lap.] Reading

RUTH[Coloring as if she'd been accused of somethingdefiantly.] I've got a right to read it, haven't I? He says

ROBERT[With a trace of irritation.] Right? Don't be so silly. There's no question of right. I was only saying

RUTHWell, I don't. [She puts the letter on the table and gets wearily to her feet.] I s'pose you'll be wanting

RUTHI've got to get her to bed first. [She goes to lift MARY off his lap.] Come, dear. It's after time and you

MARY[Crying.] No, no, I don't wanter sleep! [Appealing to her father.] Dada! No!

ROBERT[Shortly.] Let her alone, then. She's all right where she is. She'll fall asleep on my lap in a minute if

RUTH[Hotly.] She'll not do any such thing! She's got to learn to mind me, that she has! [Shaking her finger

at MARY.] You naughty child! Will you come with Mama when she tells you for your own good?

RUTH[Losing her temper.] A good spanking's what you need, my young ladyand you'll get one from me if

ROBERT[With sudden anger.] Leave her alone! How often have I told you not to threaten her with

whipping? It's barbarous, and I won't have it. That's got to be understood. [Soothing the wailing

MARY.] There! There, little girl! Baby mustn't cry. Dada won't like you if you do. Dada'll hold you and you

must promise to go to sleep like a good little girl. Will you when Dada asks you?

RUTH[Looking at them, her pale face set and drawn.] I won't be ordered by you! She's my child as much as

yours. A fine one you are to be telling folks how to do things, you[She bites her lips. Husband and wife look

into each other's eyes with something akin to hatred in their expressions; then RUTH turns away with a shrug

of affected indifference.] All right, take care of her then, if you think it's so easy. You'll be whipping her

ROBERT[Smoothing MARY'S hairtenderly.] We'll show Mama you're a good little girl, won't we?

ROBERTLet's see: Does your mother take off your shoes and stockings before your nap?

ROBERT[Taking off her shoes and stockings.] We'll show Mama we know how to do those things, won't

we? There's one old shoe offand there's the other old shoeand here's one old stockingand there's the other old

stocking. There we are, all nice and cool and comfy. [He bends down and kisses her.] And now will you

promise to go right to sleep if Dada takes you to bed? [MARY nods sleepily.] That's the good little girl. [He

gathers her up in his arms carefully and carries her into the bedroom. His voice can be heard faintly as he

lulls the child to sleep. RUTH comes out of the kitchen and gets the plate from the table. She hears the voice

from the room and tiptoes to the door to look in. Then she starts for the kitchen but stands for a moment

thinking, a look of illconcealed jealousy on her face. At a noise from inside she hurriedly disappears into

the kitchen. A moment later ROBERT reenters. He comes forward and picks up the shoes and stockings

which he shoves carelessly under the table. Then, seeing no one about, he goes to the sideboard and selects a

book. Coming back to his chair, he sits down and immediately becomes absorbed in reading. RUTH returns

from the kitchen bringing his plate heaped with food, and a cup of tea. She sets those before him and sits

down in her former place. ROBERT continues to read, oblivious to the food on the table.]

RUTH[After watching him irritably for a moment.] For heaven's sakes, put down that old book! Don't you

ROBERT[Closing his book.] Excuse me, Ruth. I didn't notice. [He picks up his knife and fork and begins to

RUTHI should think you might have some feeling for me, Rob, and not always be late for meals. If you think

it's fun sweltering in that oven of a kitchen to keep things warm for you, you're mistaken.

ROBERTI know; and I can't seem to help it. Something crops up every day to delay me. I mean to be here

ROBERT[With a conciliating smile.] Then punish me, Ruth. Let the food get cold and don't bother about

ROBERT[With an attempt at lightness.] The food is lucky to be able to get cold this weather. [As RUTH

doesn't answer or smile he opens his book and resumes his reading, forcing himself to take a mouthful of food

ROBERT[Shutting the book with a snap.] Why do you persist in nagging at me for getting pleasure out of

RUTH[Coloring.] Because I'm too stupid to understand them, I s'pose you were going to say.

ROBERT[Shamefacedly.] Nono. [In exasperation.] Oh, Ruth, why do you want to pick quarrels like this?

Why do you goad me into saying things I don't mean? Haven't I got my share of troubles trying to work this

cursed farm without your adding to them? You know how hard I've tried to keep things going in spite of bad

ROBERTAnd my own very apparent unfitness for the job, I was going to add; but you can't deny there's

been bad luck to it, too. You know how unsuited I am to the work and how I hate it; and I've managed to fight

along somehow. Why don't you take things into consideration? Why can't we pull together? We used to. I

know it's hard on you also. Then why can't we help each other instead of hindering? That's the only way we

ROBERT[Gets up and puts his hand on her shoulder.] I know you do. But let's both of us try to do better.

We can both improve. Say a word of encouragement once in a while when things go wrong, even if it is my

fault. You know the odds I've been up against since Pa died. I'm not a farmer. I've never claimed to be one.

But there's nothing else I can do under the circumstances, and I've got to pull things through somehow. With

your help, I can do it. With you against me[He shrugs his shoulders. There is a pause. Then he bends down

and kisses her hairwith an attempt at cheerfulness.] So you promise that; and I'll promise to be here when the

RUTH[As if this was only what she expected.] Oh! [They are interrupted by the sound of a loud knock at the

kitchen door.] There's someone at the kitchen door. [She hurries out. A moment later she reappears.] It's

ROBERT[Frowning.] What's the trouble now, I wonder? [In a loud voice.] Come on in here, Ben. [Ben

slouches in from the kitchen. He is a hulking, awkward young fellow with a heavy, stupid face and shifty,

cunning eyes. He is dressed in overalls, boots, etc., and wears a broadbrimmed hat of coarse straw pushed

BENNo. Don't know what's the matter with the golldarned thing. 'Twon't work, anyhow.

ROBERT[Getting up and going for his hat.] Wait a minute and I'll go look it over. There can't be much the

BEN[Impudently.] Don't make no diff'rence t'me whether there be or not. I'm quittin'.

ROBERT[Anxiously.] You're quitting? You don't mean you're throwing up your job here?

ROBERTBut why are you quitting now, Ben, when you know I've so much work on hand? I'll have a hard

ROBERTBut what's your reason? You haven't any complaint to make about the way you've been treated,

BENNo. 'Tain't that. [Shaking his finger.] Lookahere. I'm sick o' bein' made fun at, that's what; an' I got a

BENThey all do. When I drive down with the milk in the mornin' they all laughs and jokes at methat boy up

to Harris' and the new feller up to Slocum's, and Bill Evans down to Meade's, and all the rest on 'em.

ROBERTThat's a queer reason for leaving me flat. Won't they laugh at you just the same when you're

BENThey wouldn't dare to. Timms is the best farm hereabouts. They was laughin' at me for workin' for you,

that's what! "How're things up to the Mayo place?" they hollers every mornin'. "What's Robert doin'

nowpasturin' the cattle in the cornlot? Is he seasonin' his hay with rain this year, same as last?" they shouts.

"Or is he inventin' some 'lectrical milkin' engine to fool them dry cows o' his into givin' hard cider?" [Very

much ruffled.] That's like they talks; and I ain't goin' to put up with it no longer. Everyone's always knowd me

as a firstclass hand hereabouts, and I ain't wantin' 'em to get no different notion. So I'm quittin' you. And I

ROBERT[Angrily.] None of your damned cheek! You'll get your money tomorrow when I get back from

BEN[Turning to doorway to kitchen.] That suits me. [As he goes out he speaks back over his shoulder.] And

see that I do get it, or there'll be trouble. [He disappears and the slamming of the kitchen door is heard.]

ROBERT[As RUTH comes from where she has been standing by the doorway and sits down dejectedly in

her old place.] The stupid damn fool! And now what about the haying? That's an example of what I'm up

RUTHYes you are! He wouldn't dare act that way with anyone else. They do like they please with you,

ROBERT[Indignantly.] I suppose I ought to be a slave driver like the rest of the farmersstand right beside

them all day watching every move they make, and work them to their last ounce of strength? Well, I can't do

RUTHIt's better to do that than have to ask your Ma to sign a mortgage on the place.

ROBERT[Distractedly.] Oh, damn the place! [He walks to the window on left and stands looking out.]

RUTH[After a pause, with a glance at ANDREW'S letter on the table.] It's lucky Andy's coming back.

ROBERT[Coming back and sitting down.] Yes, Andy'll see the right thing to do in a jiffy. He has the knack

of it; and he ought to be home any time now. The Sunda's overdue. Must have met with head winds all the

ROBERTTrust Uncle Dick to bring her through all right! He's too good a sailor to be caught napping. Besies

we'll never know the ship's here till Andy steps in the door. He'll want to surprise us. [With an affectionate

smile.] I wonder if the old chump's changed much? He doesn't seem to from his letters, does he? Still the

same practical hardhead. [Shaking his head.] But just the same I doubt if he'll want to settle down to a

ROBERT[Immersed in his own thoughtsenthusiastically.] Gad, the things he's seen and experienced! Think

of the places he's been! HongKong, Yokohoma, Batavia, Singapore, Bangkok, Rangoon, Bombayall the

marvelous East! And Honolulu, Sydney, Buenos Aires! All the wonderful far places I used to dream about!

God, how I envy him! What a trip! [He springs to his feet and instinctively goes to the window and stares out

ROBERT[Too occupied with his own thoughts to hear hervindictively.] Oh, those cursed hills out there that I

used to think promised me so much! How I've grown to hate the sight of them! They're like the walls of a

narrow prison yard shutting me in from all the freedom and wonder of life! [He turns back to the room with a

gesture of loathing.] Sometimes I think if it wasn't for you, Ruth, and[his voice softening]little Mary, I'd

chuck everything up and walk down the road with just one desire in my heartto put the whole rim of the

world between me and those hills, and be able to breathe freely once more! [He sinks down into his chair and

ROBERT[Buried in his own thoughtsbitterly.] And Andy, who's had the chancewhat has he got out of it?

His letters read like the diary of aof a farmer! "We're in Singapore now. It's a dirty hole of a place and hotter

than hell. Two of the crew are down with fever and we're shorthanded on the work. I'll be damn glad when

we sail again, although tacking back and forth in these blistering seas is a rotten job too!" [Scornfully.] That's

about the way he summed up his impressions of the East. Every port they touched at he found the same silly

fault with. God! The only place he appeared to like was Buenos Airesand that only because he saw the

ROBERTPerhaps I am too hard on him; but when I thinkbut what's the use? You know I wasn't making fun

of Andy personally. No one loves him better than I do, the old chump! But his attitude toward things isis

RUTH[Her eyes flashingbursting into uncontrollable rage.] You was too making fun of him! And I ain't

going to stand for it! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! A fine one you be! [ROBERT stares at her in

amazement. She continues furiously.] A fine one to talk about anyone elseafter the way you've ruined

RUTHYou findin' faultwith your own brother who's ten times the man you ever was or ever will bea thing

like you to be talking. You're jealous, that's what! Jealous because he's made a man of himself, while you're

RUTHI won't! I won't never be sorry! I'm only saying what I've been thinking for years.

RUTHWhat do you thinkliving with a man like youhaving to suffer all the time because you've never been

man enough to work and do things like other people. But no! You never own up to that. You think you're so

much better than other folks, with your college education, where you never learned a thing, and always

reading your stupid books instead of working. I s'pose you think I ought to be proud to be your wifea poor,

ignorant thing like me! [Fiercely.] But I'm not. I hate it! I hate the sight of you! Oh, if I'd only known! If I

hadn't been such a fool to listen to your cheap, silly, poetry talk that you learned out of books! If I could have

seen how you were in your true selflike you are nowI'd have killed myself before I'd have married you! I was

sorry for it before we'd been together a month. I knew what you were really likewhen it was too late.

ROBERT[His voice raised loudly.] And nowI'm finding out what you're really likewhat aa creature I've been

living with. [With a harsh laugh.] God! It wasn't that I haven't guessed how mean and small you arebut I've

RUTHYou were saying you'd go out on the road if it wasn't for me. Well, you can go, and the sooner the

better! I don't care! I'll be glad to get rid of you! The farm'll be better off too. There's been a curse on it ever

since you took hold. So go! Go and be a tramp like you've always wanted. It's all you're good for. I can get

along without you, don't you worry. I'll get some peace. [Exulting fiercely.] And Andy's coming back, don't

forget that! He'll attend to things like they should be. He'll show what a man can do! I don't need you. Andy's

ROBERT[They are both standing. ROBERT grabs her by the shoulders and glares into her eyes.] What do

you mean? [He shakes her violently.] What are you thinking of? What's in your evil mind, youyou[His voice

RUTH[In a defiant scream.] Yes I do mean it! I'd say it if you was to kill me! I do love Andy. I do! I do! I

always loved him. [Exultantly.] And he loves me! He loves me! I know he does. He always did! And you

ROBERT[Throwing her away from him. She staggers back against the tablethickly.] Youyou slut! [He

stands glaring at her as she leans back, supporting herself by the table, gasping for breath. A loud frightened

whimper sounds from the awakened child in the bedroom. It continues. The man and woman stand looking at

one another in horror, the extent of their terrible quarrel suddenly brought home to them. A pause. The noise

of a horse and carriage comes from the road before the house. The two, suddenly struck by the same

premonition, listen to it breathlessly, as to a sound heard in a dream. It stops. They hear ANDY'S voice from

RUTH[With a strangled cry of joy.] Andy! Andy! [She rushes and grabs the knob of the screen door, about

ROBERT[In a voice of command that forces obedience.] Stop! [He goes to the door and gently pushes the

trembling RUTH away from it. The child's crying rises to a louder pitch.] I'll meet Andy. You better go in to

Mary, Ruth. [She looks at him defiantly for a moment, but there is something in his eyes that makes her turn

ROBERT[In an answering shout of forced cheeriness.] Hello, Andy! [He opens the door and walks out as

SCENEThe top of a hill on the farm. It is about eleven o'clock the next morning. The day is hot and

The top of the hill slopes downward slightly toward the left. A big boulder stands in the center toward the

rear. Further right, a large oak tree. The faint trace of a path leading upward to it from the left foreground can

ROBERT is discovered sitting on the boulder, his chin resting on his hands, staring out toward the horizon

seaward. His face is pale and haggard, his expression one of utter despondency. MARY is sitting on the grass

near him in the shade, playing with her doll, singing happily to herself. Presently she casts a curious glance at

her father, and, propping her doll up against the tree, comes over and clambers to his side.

ROBERT[Kissing herwith a smile.] There! It's better now, dear, thank you. [She cuddles up close against

MARY[Amazed by the magnitude of this conception.] Ohoh! [She points to the horizon.] And it all stops

ROBERTNo, it doesn't stop. That line you see is called the horizon. It's where the sea and sky meet. Just

beyond that is where the good fairies live. [Checking himselfwith a harsh laugh.] But you mustn't ever

believe in fairies. It's bad luck. And besides, there aren't any good fairies. [MARY looks up into his face with a

ROBERT[Bitterly.] God knows! Mocking devils, I've found them. [MARY frowns in puzzlement, turning

this over in her mind. There is a pause. Finally ROBERT turns to her tenderly.] Would you miss Dada very

ROBERTDon't you like Uncle Andythe man that came yesterdaynot the old man with the white

ROBERT[With fierce determination.] He won't go away, baby. He was only joking. He couldn't leave his

ROBERTI'm sorry, little girl. [He lifts her down to the grass.] Go play with Dolly, that's a good girl; and be

careful to keep in the shade. [She reluctantly leaves him and takes up her doll again. A moment later she

ROBERTNot now, dear. You mustn't bother him. After a while he will, maybe. [A moment later ANDREW

comes up from the left, whistling cheerfully. He has changed but little in appearance, except for the fact that

his face has been deeply bronzed by his years in the tropics; but there is a decided change in his manner. The

old easygoing goodnature seems to have been partly lost in a breezy, businesslike briskness of voice and

gesture. There is an authoritative note in his speech as though he were accustomed to give orders and have

them obeyed as a matter of course. He is dressed in the simple blue uniform and cap of a merchant ship's

ANDREW[Going over to MARY.] And who's this young lady I find you all alone with, eh? Who's this pretty

young lady? [He tickles the laughing, squirming MARY, then lifts her up at arm's length over his

head.] Upsydaisy! [He sets her down on the ground again.] And there you are! [He walks over and sits down

on the boulder beside ROBERT who moves to one side to make room for him.] RUTH told me I'd probably

find you up topside here; but I'd have guessed it, anyway. [He digs his brother in the ribs

affectionately.] Still up to your old tricks, you old beggar! I can remember how you used to come up here to

ROBERT[With a smile.] I come up here now because it's the coolest place on the farm. I've given up

ANDREW[Scrutinizing his brother's face.] You've changed in looks all right. You look all done up, as if

ANDREWTake a fool's advice and go it easy. You rememberyour old trouble. You wouldn't want that

ROBERT[Betraying annoyance.] Oh, that's all a thing of the past, Andy. Forget it!

ANDREWWella word to the wise does no harm? Don't be touchy about it. [Slapping his brother on the

ROBERTOf course, Andy. I'm not touchy about it. I don't want you to worry about dead things, that's all.

ANDREWMum's the word, then! [After a pausewith boyish enthusiasm.] Say, it sure brings back old times

to be up here with you having a chin all by our lonesomes again. I feel great being back home.

ANDREW[After a pausemeaningly.] I've been looking over the old place with Ruth. Things don't seem to be

ROBERT[His face flushinginterrupts his brother shortly.] Never mind the damn farm! There's nothing about

it we don't both know by heart. Let's talk about something interesting. This is the first chance I've had to have

a word with you alone. To the devil with the farm for the present. They think of nothing else at home. Tell me

ANDREW[With a quick glance of concern at ROBERT.] I suppose you do get an overdose of the farm at

home. [Indignantly.] Say, I never realized that Ruth's mother was such an old rip 'till she talked to me this

ROBERTShe isdifficult sometimes; but one must make allowances. [Again changing the subject

ANDREWOh, I know I'm no author. You needn't be afraid of hurting my feelings. I'd rather go through a

ANDREWYesin the China sea. Had to run before it under bare poles for two days. I thought we were bound

down for Davy Jones, sure. Never dreamed waves could get so big or the wind blow so hard. If it hadn't been

for Uncle Dick being such a good skipper we'd have gone to the sharks, all of us. As it was we came out

minus a main topmast and had to beat back to HongKong for repairs. But I must have written you all this.

ANDREWWell, there was so much dirty work getting things shipshape again I must have forgotten about

ROBERT[Looking at ANDREWmarvelling.] Forget a typhoon? [With a trace of scorn.] You're a strange

ANDREWOh, I could give you your bellyful of details if I wanted to turn loose on you; but they're not the

kind of things to fit in with your pretty notions of life on the ocean wave, I'll give you that straight.

ANDREWWhat's the use? They'd make a man want to live in the middle of America without even a river in

a hundred miles of him so he'd feel safe. It was rotten, that's what it was! Talk about work! I was wishin' the

ship'd sink and give me a rest, I was so dog tired toward the finish. We didn't get a warm thing to eat for

nearly two weeks. There was enough China Sea in the galley to float the stove, and the fo' c's'tle was flooded,

too. And you couldn't sleep a wink. No place on the darned old tub stayed still long enough for you to lie on

it. And every one was soaked to the skin all the time, with green seas boiling over the deck keeping you busy

jumping for the ratlines to keep from being washed over. Oh, it was allwoolandayardwideHell, I'll

tell you. You ought to have been there. I remember thinking about you at the worst of it when you couldn't

force a breath out against the wind, and saying to myself: 'This'd cure Rob of them ideas of his about the

beautiful sea, if he could see it.' And it would have too, you bet! [He nods emphatically.]

ANDREWRomance be blowed! It was hell! [As an afterthought.] Oh, I was forgetting! One of the men was

washed overboarda NorwegianOllie we called him. [With a grin of sarcasm.] I suppose that's romance, eh?

ANDREWI should say it didn't! It's a dog's life. You work like the devil and put up with all kinds of

ANDREWNot me! I'm through! I'll never set foot on a ship again if I can help itexcept to carry me some

place I can't get to by train. No. I've had enough. Dry land is the only place for me.

ANDREWHad to do something or I'd gone mad. The days were like years. Nothing to look at but sea and

sky. No place to go. A regular prison. [He laughs.] And as for the East you used to rave aboutwell, you ought

to see it, and smell it! And the Chinks and Japs and Hindus and the rest of themyou can have them! One walk

down one of their filthy narrow streets with the tropic sun beating on it would sicken you for life with the

"wonder and mystery" you used to dream of. I can say one thing for it thoughit certainly has the stink market

ROBERT[Shrinking from his brother with a glance of aversion.] So all you found in the East was a stench?

ANDREWA stench! Ten thousand of them! That and the damned fever! You can have the tropics, old man. I

never want to see them again. At that, there's lots of money to be made down therefor a white man. The

ROBERTBut you did like some of the places, judging from your lettersSydney, Buenos Aires

ANDREWYes, Sydney's a good town. [Enthusiastically.] But Buenos Airesthere's the place for you.

Argentine's a country where a fellow has a chance to make good. You're right I liked it. And I'll tell you, Rob,

that's right where I'm going just as soon as I've seen you folks a while and can get a ship. I don't intend to pay

for my passage now I can get a berth as second officer, and I'll jump the ship when I get there. I'll need every

ANDREWWhy sure not! Did you think I was? There wouldn't be any sense. One of us is enough to run this

ANDREW[Not noticing the sarcasm in ROBERT'S tone.] You've no idea, Rob, what a splendid place

Argentine is. I went around Buenos Aires quite a lot and got to know peopleEnglish speaking people, of

course. The town is full of them. It's foreign capital that's developed the country, you know. I had a letter

from a marine insurance chap that I'd made friends with in HongKong to his brother, who's in the grain

business in Buenos Aires. He took quite a fancy to me, and what's more important, he offered me a job if I'd

come back there. I'd have taken it on the spot, only I couldn't leave Uncle Dick in the lurch, and I'd promised

you folks to come home. But I'm going back there very soon, you bet, and then you watch me get on! [He

ANDREWWe call this a farmbut you ought to hear about the farms down thereten square miles where we've

got an acre. It's a new country where big things are opening upand I want to get in on something big before I

die. That job I'm offered'll furnish the wedge. I'm no fool when it comes to farming, and I know something

about grain. I've been reading up a lot on it, too, lately. [He notices ROBERT'S absentminded expression

and laughs.] Wake up, you old poetry book worm, you! I know my talking about business makes you want to

ROBERT[With an embarrassed smile.] No, Andy, II just happened to think of something else.

[Frowning.] There've been lots of times lately that I've wished I had some of your faculty for business.

ANDREW[Soberly.] There's something I want to talk about, Rob,the farm. You don't mind, do you?

ANDREWI walked over it this morning with Ruthand she told me about things[Evasively.]the hard luck

you'd had and how things stood at presentand about your thinking of raising a mortgage.

ANDREWI could see the place had run down; but you mustn't blame yourself. When luck's against anyone

ROBERTDon't, Andy! It is my faultmy inability. You know it as well as I do. The best I've ever done was to

ANDREW[After a pause.] You mustn't raise the mortgage, Rob. I've got over a thousand saved, and you can

ANDREW[Protestingly.] You obstinate old son of a gun! [There is a pause.] Well, I'll do the best I can

while I'm here. I'll get a real man to superintend things for youif he can be got. That'll relieve you some. If he

ROBERTOh, everything'll be on a sound footing after harvest. Don't worry about it.

ROBERT[With a tone of finality.] No. Please don't suggest it any more. My mind's made up on that point.

ANDREW[Slapping his brother on the backwith forced joviality.] Well, anyway, you've got to promise to let

me step in when I've made my pile; and I'll make it down there, I'm certain; and it won't take me long, either.

ANDREWI'll be able to pay off all the mortgages you can raise! Still, a mortgage isn't such a bad thing at

thatit makes a place heaps easier to selland you may want to cut loose from this farm some daycome down

ANDREWYes, I suppose they wouldn't want to come. [After a pause.] It's too bad Pa couldn't have lived to

see things through. [With feeling.] It cut me up a lothearing he was dead. Tell me about it. You didn't say

ROBERT[Evasively.] He's at peace, Andy. It'll only make you feel bad to talk of it.

ANDREW[After a pause.] You've forgotten all about whatcaused me to go, haven't you Rob? [ROBERT

nods but keeps his face averted.] I was a slushier damn fool in those days than you were. But it was an act of

Providence I did go. It opened my eyes to how I'd been fooling myself. Why, I'd forgotten all aboutthatbefore

ANDREW[Confused.] Yes. I didn't want you to get false notions in your head, or I wouldn't say anything.

[Looking ROBERT squarely in the eyes.] I'm telling you the truth when I say I'd forgotten long ago. It don't

sound well for me, getting over things so easy, but I guess it never really amounted to more than a kid idea I

was letting rule me. I'm certain now I never was in loveI was getting fun out of thinking I wasand being a

hero to myself. [He heaves a great sigh of relief.] There! Gosh, I'm glad that's off my chest. I've been feeling

sort of awkward ever since I've been home, thinking of what you two might think. [A trace of appeal in his

ANDREWAnd I'll tell Ruth, too, if I can get up the nerve. She must feel kind of funny having me roundafter

ANDREWFor her sake? Oh, you mean she wouldn't want to be reminded of my foolishness? Still, I think it'd

ROBERT[Breaking outin an agonized voice.] Do as you please, Andy; but for God's sake, let's not talk

about it! [There is a pause. ANDREW stares at ROBERT in hurt stupefaction. ROBERT continues after a

moment in a voice which he vainly attempts to keep calm.] Excuse me, Andy. This rotten headache has my

ANDREWHe went down to the port to see to things on the Sunda. He said he didn't know exactly when he'd

be back. I'll have to go down and tend to the ship when he comes. That's why I dressed up in these togs.

MARY[Pointing down the hill to the left.] See Dada! Mama! Mama! [She jumps to her feet and starts to run

ANDREW[Standing and looking down.] Yes, here comes Ruth. Must be looking for you, I guess. [Jumping

forward and stopping MARY.] Hey up! You mustn't run down hill like that, little girl. You'll take a bad fall,

ANDREWHere she is! [RUTH appears at left. She is dressed in white, shows she has been fixing up. She

RUTH[Kissing her.] Hello, dear! [She walks toward the rock and addresses ROBERT coldly.] Jake wants to

see you about something. He finished working where he was. He's waiting for you at the road.

ROBERT[Getting upwearily.] I'll go down right away. [As he looks at RUTH, noting her changed

RUTHAnd take Mary with you, please. [To MARY.] Go with Dada, that's a good girl. Grandma has your

MARY[Taking he is hand and dancing happily beside him.] Dada! Dada! [They go down the hill to the left.

RUTH looks after them for a moment, frowningthen turns to ANDY with a smile.] I'm going to sit down.

Come on, Andy. It'll be like old times. [She jumps lightly to the top of the rock and sits down.] It's so fine and

RUTHI've taken a holiday in honor of your arrivalfrom work in the kitchen. [Laughing excitedly.] I feel so

free I'd like to have wings and fly over the sea. You're a man. You can't know how awful and stupid it

RUTHBesides, your mother just insisted on getting your first dinner to home, she's that happy at having you

back. You'd think I was planning to poison you the flurried way she shooed me out of the kitchen.

RUTHShe's missed you terrible. We all have. And you can't deny the farm has, after what I showed you and

ANDREW[With a frown.] Things are run down, that's a fact! It's too darn hard on poor old Rob.

ANDREW[Reprovingly.] You can't blame him. He wasn't born for it; but I know he's done his best for your

RUTH[Indifferently.] Yes, I suppose he has. [Gaily.] But thank the Lord, all those days are over now. The

"hard luck" Rob's always blaming won't last long when you take hold, Andy. All the farm's ever needed was

someone with the knack of looking ahead and preparing for what's going to happen.

ANDREWYes, Rob hasn't got that. He's frank to own up to that himself. I'm going to try and hire a good

man for himan experienced farmerto work the place on a salary and percentage. That'll take it off of Rob's

hands, and he needn't be worrying himself to death any more. He looks all worn out, Ruth. He ought to be

RUTH[Absentmindedly.] Yes, I s'pose. [Her mind is filled with premonitions by the first part of his

ANDREWIt would be a good idea if Rob could pull out of hereget a job in town on a newspaper, or

RUTH[Vaguely.] He's always wanted to get away. [Suspiciously.] Why do you want to hire a man to oversee

ANDREWOh, of course I'll attend to everything while I'm here. I mean after I'm gone.

ANDREWNot to sea, no; I'm through with the sea for good as a job. I'm going down to Buenos Aires to get

ANDREW[Easily.] Six thousand miles more or less. It's quite a trip. [With enthusiasm.] I've got a peach of a

chance down there, Ruth. Ask Rob if I haven't. I've just been telling him all about it. I won't bother you by

RUTH[A flush of anger coming over her face.] And didn't he try to stop you from going?

ANDREW[Resentfully.] Rob's too good a chum to try and stop me when he knows I'm set on a thing. And he

could see just as soon's I told him what a good chance it was. You ask him about it.

ANDREWSure thing. Oh, I don't mean right off. I'll have to wait for a ship sailing there for quite a while,

likely. Anyway, I want to stay to home and visit with you folks a spell before I go.

RUTH[Dumbly.] I s'pose. [With sudden anguish.] Oh, Andy, you can't go! You can't. Why we've all

thoughtwe've all been hoping and praying you was coming home to stay, to settle down on the farm and see

to things. You mustn't go! Think of how your Ma'll take on if you goand how the farm'll be ruined if you

ANDREW[Frowning.] Rob hasn't done so bad. When I get a man to direct things the farm'll be safe enough.

ANDREWShe's used to me being away. She won't object when she knows it's best for her and all of us for

me to go. You ask Rob. In a couple of years down there I'll make my pile, see if I don't; and then I'll come

back and settle down and turn this farm to the crackiest place in the whole state. In the meantime, I can help

you both from down there. [Earnestly.] I tell you, Ruth, I'm going to make good right from the minute I land,

if working hard and a determination to get on can do it; and I know they can! I'll have money and lots of it

before long, and none of you'll have to worry about this pesky little farm any more. [Excitedlyin a rather

boastful tone.] I tell you, I feel ripe for bigger things than settling down here. The trip did that for me,

anyway. It showed me the world in a larger proposition than ever I thought it was in the old days. I couldn't

be content any more stuck here like a fly in molasses. There ain't enough to do. It all seems trifling,

RUTH[A dim suspicion forming in her mindinterrupting him.] What did he tell youabout me?

RUTH[Staring at him intensely.] Are you telling me the truth, Andy Mayo? Didn't he sayI[She stops

ANDREW[Surprised.] No, he didn't mention you, I can remember. Why? What made you think he did?

ANDREW[Indignantly.] What're you talking about? I didn't used to lie to you, did I? And what in the name

RUTH[Still unconvinced.] Are you surewill you swearit isn't the reason[She lowers her eyes and half turns

away from him.] The same reason that made you go last time that's driving you away again? 'Cause if it isI

was going to sayyou mustn't goon that account. [Her voice sinks to a tremulous, tender whisper as she

ANDREW[Confusedforces a laugh.] Oh, is that what you're driving at? Well, you needn't worry about that

no more[Soberly.] I don't blame you, Ruth, feeling embarrassed having me around again, after the way I

played the dumb fool about going away last time. You'll have to put it down to me just being young and

foolish and not responsible for my actionsand forgive me and forget it. Will you?

ANDREW[Misunderstanding.] I know I oughtn't to talk about such foolishness to you. Still I figure it's

better to get it out of my system so's we three can be together same's years ago, and not be worried thinking

one of us might have the wrong notion. No, don't you fret about me having any such reason for going this

time. I'm not a calf any more. Why honest, Ruth, before the ship got to Hong Kong I'd near forgot all that part

of it. All I remembered was the awful scrap I'd had with Paand I was darned cut up about that.

ANDREWLet me finish now that I've started. It'll help clear things up. I don't want you to think once a fool

always a fool, and be upset all the time I'm here on my fool account. I want you to believe I put all that silly

nonsense back of me a long time agoand nowit seemswellas if you'd always been my sister, that's what, Ruth.

RUTH[At the end of her endurancelaughing hysterically.] For God's sake, Andywon't you please stop

talking! [She again hides her face in her hands, her bowed shoulders trembling.]

ANDREW[Ruefully.] Seem's if I put my foot in it whenever I open my mouth today. Rob shut me up with

RUTH[Hysterically.] Oh, I don't care what you do! I don't care! Leave me alone! [ANDREW gets up and

walks down the hill to the left, embarrassed, hurt, and greatly puzzled by her behavior.]

ANDREW[After a pausepointing down the hill.] Hello! Here they come backand the Captain's with them.

How'd he come to get back so soon, I wonder? That means I've got to hustle down to the port and get on

board. Rob's got the baby with him. [He comes back to the boulder. RUTH keeps her face averted from

him.] Gosh, I never saw a father so tied up in a kid as Rob is! He just watches every move she makes. And I

don't blame him. You both got a right to feel proud of her. She's surely a little winner. [He glances at RUTH

to see if this very obvious attempt to get back in her good graces is having any effect.] I can see the likeness

to Rob standing out all over her, can't you? But there's no denying she's your young one, either. There's

RUTH[Piteously.] Oh, Andy, I've a headache! I don't want to talk! Leave me alone, won't you please?

ANDREW[Stands staring at her for a momentthen walks away saying in a hurt tone.] Everybody hereabouts

seems to be on edge today. I begin to feel as if I'm not wanted around. [He stands near the path, left, kicking

at the grass with the toe of his shoe. A moment later CAPTAIN DICK SCOTT enters, followed by ROBERT

carrying MARY. The CAPTAIN seems scarcely to have changed at all from the jovial, booming person he

was three years before. He wears a uniform similar to ANDREW'S. He is puffing and breathless from his

climb and mops wildly at his perspiring countenance. ROBERT casts a quick glance at ANDREW, noticing

the latter's discomfited look, and then turns his eyes on RUTH who, at their approach, has moved so her back

MARYMama! Mama! [ROBERT puts her down and she runs to her mother. RUTH turns and grabs her up

in her arms with a sudden fierce tenderness, quickly turning away again from the others. During the

SCOTT[Wheezily.] Phew! I got great news for you, Andy. Let me get my wind first. Phew! God A'mighty,

mountin' this damned hill is worser'n goin' aloft to the skys'l yard in a blow. I got to lay to a while. [He sits

SCOTTI didn't figger it, neither; but I run across a bit o' news down to the Seamen's Home made me 'bout

SCOTTPassin' by the Home I thought I'd drop in an' let 'em know I'd be lackin' a mate next trip count o' your

leavin'. Their man in charge o' the shippin' asked after you 'special curious. 'Do you think he'd consider a

berth as Second on a steamer, Captain?' he asks. I was goin' to say no when I thinks o' you wantin' to get back

down south to the Plate agen; so I asks him: 'What is she and where's she bound?' 'She's the El Paso, a brand

SCOTTTomorrow mornin'. I didn't know if you'd want to ship away agen so quick an' I told him so. 'Tell

him I'll hold the berth open for him until late this afternoon,' he says. So I said I'd tell you an' I catches the

ANDREWI'd like to take it. There may not be another ship for Buenos Aires with a vacancy in months. [His

eyes roving from ROBERT to RUTH and back againuncertainly.] Stilldamn it alltomorrow morning is soon. I

wish she wasn't leaving for a week or so. That'd give me a chanceit seems hard to go right away again when

I've just got home. And yet it's a chance in a thousand[Appealing to ROBERT.] What do you think, Rob?

ROBERT[Forcing a smile.] He who hesitates, you know. [Frowning.] It's a piece of good luck thrown in

your wayandfrom what you've told me of your plansI think you owe it to yourself to jump at it. But don't ask

RUTH[Turning to look at ANDREWin a tone of fierce resentment.] Yes go, Andy! [She turns quickly away

ANDREW[Thoughtfully.] Yes, I guess I will. It'll be the best thing for all of us in the end, don't you think so,

ANDREW[Now that he has definitely made a decision his voice rings with hopeful strength and

energy.] Yes, I'll take the berth. The sooner I go the sooner I'll be back, that's a certainty; and I won't come

SCOTTYou ain't got so much time, Andy. To make sure you'd best leave here soon's you kin. You can't put

too much trust in them fellers. I got to get right back aboard. You'd best come with me.

ANDREW[Worriedly.] I don't know. Will there be time? What time is it now, I wonder?

ANDREW[Flushingshamefacedly.] Hell! And I was forgetting! I'm a damn fool. Of course I'll stay for

dinner if I missed every damned ship in the world. [He turns to the CAPTAINbriskly.] Come on, Uncle. Walk

down with me to the house and you can tell me more about this berth on the way. I've got to pack before

dinner. [He and the CAPTAIN start down to the left. ANDREW calls back over his shoulder.] You're coming

ROBERTYes. I'll be right down. [ANDREW and the CAPTAIN leave. RUTH puts MARY on the ground and

hides her face in her hands. Her shoulders shake as if she were sobbing. ROBERT stares at her with a grim,

somber expression. MARY walks backward toward ROBERT, her wondering eyes fixed on her mother.]

MARY[Her voice vaguely frightened, taking her father's hand.] Dada, Mama's cryin', Dada.

ROBERT[Bending down and stroking her hairin a voice he endeavors to keep from being harsh.] No, she

isn't, little girl. The sun hurts her eyes, that's all. Aren't you beginning to feel hungry, Mary?

RUTH[In a muffled voice.] I'm coming, Mary. [She wipes her eyes quickly and, without looking at ROBERT,

comes and takes MARY'S handin a dead voice.] Come on and I'll get your dinner for you. [She walks out left,

her eyes fixed on the ground, the skipping MARY tugging at her hand. ROBERT waits a moment for them to

SCENESame as Act Two, Scene OneThe sitting room of the farm house about six o'clock in the morning of

a day toward the end of October five years later. It is not yet dawn, but as the action progresses the darkness

The room, seen by the light of the shadeless oil lamp with a smoky chimney which stands on the table,

presents an appearance of decay, of dissolution. The curtains at the windows are torn and dirty and one of

them is missing. The closed desk is grey with accumulated dust as if it had not been used in years. Blotches

of dampness disfigure the wall paper. Threadbare trails, leading to the kitchen and outer doors, show in the

faded carpet. The top of the coverless table is stained with the imprints of hot dishes and spilt food. The rung

of one rocker has been clumsily mended with a piece of plain board. A brown coating of rust covers the

unblacked stove. A pile of wood is stacked up carelessly against the wall by the stove.

The whole atmosphere of the room, contrasted with that of former years, is one of an habitual poverty too

At the rise of the curtain RUTH is discovered sitting by the stove, with hands outstretched to the warmth as if

the air in the room were damp and cold. A heavy shawl is wrapped about her shoulders, halfconcealing her

dress of deep mourning. She has aged horribly. Her pale, deeply lined face has the stony lack of expression of

one to whom nothing more can ever happen, whose capacity for emotion has been exhausted. When she

speaks her voice is without timbre, low and monotonous. The negligent disorder of her dress, the slovenly

arrangement of her hair, now streaked with grey, her muddied shoes run down at the heel, give full evidence

Her mother is asleep in her wheel chair beside the stove toward the rear, wrapped up in a blanket.

There is a sound from the open bedroom door in the rear as if someone were getting out of bed. RUTH turns

in that direction with a look of dull annoyance. A moment later ROBERT appears in the doorway, leaning

weakly against it for support. His hair is long and unkempt, his face and body emaciated. There are bright

patches of crimson over his cheek bones and his eyes are burning with fever. He is dressed in corduroy pants,

ROBERT[Speaking with an effort.] I won't wake her. [He walks weakly to a rocker by the side of the table

RUTHThat's the fever. You know the doctor told you not to get up and move round.

ROBERT[Irritably.] That old fossil! He doesn't know anything. Go to bed and stay therethat's his only

ROBERT[Buoyantly.] Better! Much better than I've felt in ages. Really I'm quite healthy nowonly very

weak. It's the turning point, I guess. From now on I'll pick up so quick I'll surprise youand no thanks to that

ROBERTAlways helped us to die, you mean! He "tended" to Pa and Ma and(his voice breaks)and toMary.

RUTH[Dully.] He did the best he knew, I s'pose. [After a pause.] Well, Andy's bringing a specialist with him

RUTH[Without a trace of feeling.] Somebody had got to, when he's bringing that doctor with him. You can't

tell when he might get here if he's coming from the port in an auto like he telegraphed us. And besides it's

ROBERTYes, it's past. [After a pause.] Have you got his two telegrams with you? [RUTH nods.] Let me see

them, will you? My head was so full of fever when they came I couldn't make head or tail to them.

[Hastily.] But I'm feeling fine now. Let me read them again. [RUTH takes them from the bosom of her dress

ROBERT[Opening it.] New York. "Just landed from steamer. Have important business to wind up here.

Will be home as soon as deal is completed." [He smiles bitterly.] Business first was always Andy's motto.

[He reads.] "Hope you are all well. Andy." [He repeats ironically.] "Hope you are all well!"

RUTH[Dully.] He couldn't know you'd been took sick till I answered that and told him.

ROBERT[Contritely.] Of course he couldn't. You're right. I'm a fool. I'm touchy about nothing lately. Just

RUTH[Inconsequentially.] I had to send it collect. [ROBERT frowns.] I wrote you were pretty low and for

ROBERT[Irritably.] He'll think I'm dying or some such foolishness. What an idiotic exaggeration! What did

RUTHI wrote you had lung troublejust those two words. [Dully.] The boy said it wouldn't cost any more for

ROBERT[Flying into a petty temper.] You are a fool! How often have I explained to you that it's pleurisy is

the matter with me. You can't seem to get it in your head that the pleura is outside the lungs, not in them!

ROBERT[After a pause, opening the other telegram.] He sent this last evening. Let's see. [He

reads.] "Leave for home on midnight train. Just received your wire. Am bringing specialist to see Rob. Will

motor to farm from Port." [He calculates.] The midnight gets in the Port about fourthirty, I think, or five. It

ROBERTHe ought to be here soon. I'm glad he's bringing a doctor who knows something. I'm tired of being

at the mercy of that cheap old quack. A specialist will tell you in a second that there's nothing the matter with

ROBERT[Irritably.] What nonsense! For God's sake, haven't you ever had a bad cold yourself? [RUTH

stares at the stove in silence. ROBERT fidgets in his chair. There is a pause. Finally ROBERT'S eyes are

fixed on the sleeping MRS. ATKINS.] Your mother is lucky to be able to sleep so soundly.

ROBERT[Mockingly.] Is she waiting for Andy, too? [There is a pause. ROBERT sighs.] I couldn't get to

sleep to save my soul. I counted ten million sheep if I counted one. No use! My brain kept pounding out

thoughts as if its life depended on it. I gave up trying finally and just laid there in the dark thinking. [He

pauses, then continues in a tone of tender sympathy.] I was thinking about you, Ruthof how hard these last

RUTH[In a dead voice.] I don't know. They're past now. They were hard on all of us.

ROBERTYes; on all of us but Andy. [With a flash of sick jealousy.] Andy's made a big success of

himselfthe kind he wanted. He's got lots of money and, I suppose, a reputation for being a sharp business

man. [Mockingly.] What else is there in life to wish for, eh, Ruth? And now he's coming home to let us

admire his greatness. [Frowningirritably.] What does it matter? What am I talking about? My brain must be

sick, too. [After a pause.] Yes, these years have been terrible for both of us. [His voice is lowered to a

trembling whisper.] Especially the last eight months since Marydied. [He forces back a sob with a convulsive

shudderthen breaks out in a passionate agony.] Our last hope of happiness! I could curse God from the

bottom of my soulif there was a God! [He is racked by a violent fit of coughing and hurriedly puts his

ROBERT[Gloomily.] We'd all be better off for that matter. [With sudden exasperation.] You tell that mother

of yours she's got to stop saying that Mary's death was due to a weak constitution inherited from me. [On the

ROBERT[Coughs and lies back in his chair weaklya pause.] It's all because your mother's down on me for

ROBERT[Shrugging his shoulders.] What's the use of talking to you? Well, I couldn't. [Proudly.] And I've

managed to keep things going, thank God. You can't deny that without help I've succeeded in[He breaks off

with a bitter laugh.] My God, what am I boasting of? Debts to this one and that, taxes, interest unpaid! I'm a

fool! [He lies back in his chair closing his eyes for a moment, then speaks in a low voice.] I'll be frank, Ruth.

I've been an utter failure, and I've dragged you with me. I couldn't blame you in all justicefor hating me.

ROBERT[Waving her remark aside.] You needn't deny it. It doesn't matter. [After a pausewith a tender

smile.] Do you know Ruth, what I've been dreaming back there in the dark? [With a short laugh.] It may

sound silly of me butI was planning our future when I get well. [He looks at her with appealing eyes as if

afraid she will sneer at him. Her expression does not change. She stares at the stove. His voice takes on a

note of eagerness.] After all, why shouldn't we have a future? We're young yet. If we can only shake off the

curse of this farm! It's the farm that's ruined our lives, damn it! And now that Andy's coming backI'm going

to sink my foolish pride, Ruth! I'll borrow the money from him to give us a good start in the city. We'll go

where people live instead of stagnating, and start all over again. [Confidently.] I won't be the failure there that

I've been here, Ruth. You won't need to be ashamed of me there. I'll prove to you the reading I've done can be

put to some use. [Vaguely.] I'll write, or something of that sort. I've always wanted to write.

ROBERT[Angrily.] So that's your answer! [He trembles with violent passion. His voice is so strange that

RUTH turns to look at him in alarm.] You're lying, Ruth! Your mother's just an excuse. You want to stay

here. You think that because Andy's coming back that[He chokes and has an attack of coughing.]

RUTH[Getting upin a frightened voice.] What's the matter? [She goes to him.] I'll go with you, Rob. I don't

care for Andy like you think. Stop that coughing for goodness sake! It's awful bad for you. [She soothes him

in dull tones.] I'll go with you to the citysoon's you're well again. Honest I will, Rob, I promise! [ROB lies

back and closes his eyes. She stands looking down at him anxiously.] Do you feel better now?

ROBERTYes. [RUTH goes back to her chair. After a pause he opens his eyes and sits up in his chair. His

ROBERT[Excitedly.] We'll make a new start, Ruthjust you and I. Life owes us some happiness after what

we've been through. [Vehemently.] It must! Otherwise our suffering would be meaninglessand that is

ROBERTOh, don't be afraid. I feel completely well, really I donow that I can hope again. Oh if you knew

how glorious it feels to have something to look forward tonot just a dream, but something tangible,

something already within our grasp! Can't you feel the thrill of it, toothe vision of a new life opening up after

ROBERTNonsense! I won't be careful. I'm getting back all my strength. [He gets lightly to his feet.] See! I

feel light as a feather. [He walks to her chair and bends down to kiss her smilingly.] One kissthe first in

ROBERT[With tender obstinacystroking her hair] I won't sit down. You're silly to worry. [He rests one

hand on the back of her chair.] Listen. All our suffering has been a test through which we had to pass to

prove ourselves worthy of a finer realization. [Exultingly.] And we did pass through it! It hasn't broken us!

RUTH[Looking at him with frightened eyes as if she thought he had gone mad.] Yes, Rob, I see; but won't

ROBERTNo. I'm going to see the sun rise. It's an augury of good fortune. [He goes quickly to the window in

the rear, left, and pushing the curtains aside, stands looking out. RUTH springs to her feet and comes quickly

to the table, left, where she remains watching ROBERT in a tense, expectant attitude. As he peers out his

body seems gradually to sag, to grow limp and tired. His voice is mournful as he speaks.] No sun yet. It isn't

time. All I can see is the black rim of the damned hills outlined against a creeping greyness. [He turns

around; letting the curtains fall back, stretching a hand out to the wall to support himself. His false strength

of a moment has evaporated leaving his face drawn and hollow eyed. He makes a pitiful attempt to

smile.] That's not a very happy augury, is it? But the sun'll comesoon. [He sways weakly.]

RUTH[Hurrying to his side and supporting him.] Please go to bed, won't you, Rob? You don't want to be all

ROBERT[Quickly.] No. That's right. He mustn't think I'm sicker than I am. And I feel as if I could sleep

RUTH[Helping him to the bedroom door.] That's what you need most. [They go inside. A moment later she

reappears calling back.] I'll shut this door so's you'll be quiet. [She closes the door and goes quickly to her

MRS. ATKINS[Coming out of her sleep with a start.] Glory be! What's the matter with you?

RUTHIt was Rob. He's just been talking to me out here. I put him back to bed. [Now that she is sure her

mother is awake her fear passes and she relapses into dull indifference. She sits down in her chair and stares

MRS. ATKINS[With asperity.] And is that all you woke me out of a sound sleep for, and scared me near out

RUTHI was afraid. He talked so crazystaring out of the window as if he sawsomethingand speaking about

the hills, and wanting to see the sun riseand all such notions. I couldn't quiet him. It was like he used to

talkonly mad, kind of. I didn't want to be alone with him that way. Lord knows what he might do.

MRS. ATKINS[Scornfully.] Humph! A poor help I'd be to you and me not able to move a step! Why didn't

RUTH[Dully.] Jake isn't here. I thought I'd told you. He quit last night. He hasn't been paid in three months.

MRS. ATKINS[Indignantly.] No, I can't blame him when I come to think of it. What decent person'd want

to work on a place like this? [With sudden exasperation.] Oh, I wish you'd never married that man!

MRS. ATKINS[Working herself into a fit of rage.] It's lucky for me and you, too, I took my part of the place

out of his hands years ago. You know very well, Ruth Mayo, if it wasn't for me helpin' you on the sly out of

my savin's, you'd both been in the poor houseand all 'count of his pigheaded pride in not lettin' Andy know

the state thin's were in. A nice thing for me to have to support him out of what I'd saved for my last daysand

MRS. ATKINS[With a snort.] What'd Rob think you and him was livin' on, I'd like to know?

RUTH[Dully.] He didn't think about it, I s'pose [After a slight pause.] He said he'd made up his mind to ask

Andy for help when he comes. [As a clock in the kitchen strikes six.] Six o'clock. Andy ought to get here

RUTH[Hopelessly.] I don't know. [The two women remain silent for a time staring dejectedly at the stove.]

MRS. ATKINS[Shivering irritably.] For goodness' sake put some wood on that fire. I'm most freezin'!

RUTH[Pointing to the door in the rear.] Don't talk so loud. Let him sleep if he can. [She gets wearily from

the chair and puts a few pieces of wood in the stove. Then she tiptoes to the bedroom door and listens.]

RUTH[Coming back.] I couldn't hear him move. I s'pose he is. [She puts another stick in the stove.] This is

the last of the wood in the pile. I don't know who'll cut more now that Jake's left. [She sighs and walks to the

window in the rear, left, pulls the curtains aside, and looks out.] It's getting grey out. It'll be light soon and

we can put out that lamp. [She comes back to the stove.] Looks like it'd be a nice day. [She stretches out her

hands to warm them.] Must've been a heavy frost last night. We're paying for the spell of warm weather

we've been having. [The throbbing whine of a motor sounds from the distance outside.]

MRS. ATKINS[With nervous irritation.] Don't sit there like a silly goose. Look at the state of this room!

What'll this strange doctor think of us? Look at that lamp chimney all smoke! Gracious sakes, Ruth

MRS. ATKINS[Peremptorily.] Wheel me in there this minute. I don't want him to see me looking a sight.

I'll lay down in the room the other side. You don't need me now and I'm dead for sleep. I'll have plenty of

time to see Andy. [RUTH wheels her mother off right. The noise of the motor grows louder and finally ceases

as the car stops on the road before the farmhouse. RUTH returns from the kitchen with a lighted lamp in her

hand which she sets on the table beside the other. The sound of footsteps on the path is heardthen a sharp rap

on the door. RUTH goes and opens it. ANDREW enters, followed by DOCTOR FAWCETT carrying a small

black bag. ANDREW has changed greatly. His face seems to have grown highstrung, hardened by the look

of decisiveness which comes from being constantly under a strain where judgments on the spur of the moment

are compelled to be accurate. His eyes are keener and more alert. There is even a suggestion of ruthless

cunning about them. At present, however, his expression is one of tense anxiety. DOCTOR FAWCETT is a

ANDREW[Kissing her hastily.] I know. I got here as soon as I could. [He throws off his cap and heavy

overcoat on the table, introducing RUTH and the DOCTOR as he does so. He is dressed in an expensive

business suit and appears stouter.] My sisterinlaw, Mrs. MayoDoctor Fawcett. [They bow to each other

ANDREWI'll take your coat and hat, Doctor. [As he helps the DOCTOR with his things.] Is he very bad,

ANDREWDamn! This way, Doctor. Bring the lamp, Ruth. [He goes into the bedroom, followed by the

DOCTOR and RUTH carrying the clean lamp. RUTH reappears almost immediately closing the door behind

her, and goes slowly to the outside door, which she opens, and stands in the doorway looking out. The sound

of ANDREW'S and ROBERT'S voices comes from the bedroom. A moment later ANDREW reenters, closing

the door softly. He comes forward and sinks down on the rocker on the right of table, leaning his head on his

hand. His face is drawn in a shocked expression of great grief. He sighs heavily, staring mournfully in front

of him. RUTH turns and stands watching him. Then she shuts the door and returns to her chair by the stove,

RUTHIt was last summer he had a bad spell first, but he's been ailin' ever since Mary diedeight months ago.

ANDREW[Harshly.] Why didn't you let me knowcable me? Do you want him to die, all of you? I'm damned

if it doesn't look that way! [His voice breaking.] Poor old chap! To be sick in this outoftheway hole

RUTH[Dully.] I wanted to send you word once, but he only got mad when I told him. He was too proud to

ANDREWProud? To ask me? [He jumps to his feet and paces nervously back and forth.] I can't understand

the way you've acted. Didn't you see how sick he was getting? Couldn't you realizewhy, I nearly dropped in

my tracks when I saw him! He looks[He shudders.]terrible! [With fierce scorn.] I suppose you're so used to

the idea of his being delicate that you took his sickness as a matter of course. God, if I'd only known!

RUTH[Without emotion.] A letter takes so long to get where you wereand we couldn't afford to telegraph.

We owed everyone already, and I couldn't ask Ma. She'd been giving me money out of her savings for the last

two years till she hadn't much left. Don't say anything to Rob about it. I never told him. He'd only be mad at

ANDREWYou mean to say[His eyes seem to take in the povertystricken appearance of the room for the

first time.] You sent that telegram to me collect. Was it because[RUTH nods silently. ANDREW pounds on

the table with his fist.] Good God! And all this time I've beenwhy I've had everything! [He sits down in his

chair and pulls it close to RUTH'Simpulsively.] ButI can't get it through my head. Why? Why? What has

RUTH[Dully.] There's nothing much to tell. Things kept getting worse, that's alland Rob didn't seem to care.

RUTHHe never took any interest since way back when your Ma died. After that he got men to take charge,

and they nearly all cheated himhe couldn't telland left one after another. And then there'd be times when there

was no one to see to it, when he'd be looking to hire someone new. And the hands wouldn't stay. It was hard

to get them. They didn't want to work here, and as soon as they'd get a chance to work some other place

they'd leave. Then after Mary died he didn't pay no heed to anything any morejust stayed indoors and took to

ANDREW[Surprised and horrified.] Why, damn it, this is frightful! Rob must be mad not to have let me

know. Too proud to ask help of me! It's an insane idea! It's crazy! And for Rob, of all people, to feel that

way! What's the matter with him in God's name? He didn't appear to have changed when I was talking to him

a second ago. He seemed same old Robonly very sick physically. [A sudden, horrible suspicion, entering his

RUTH[Dully.] I don't know. Mary's dying broke him up terriblebut he's used to her being gone by this, I

ANDREW[Looks at her fixedly for a momentwith great pity.] I'm sorry I talked the way I did just now,

Ruthif I seemed to blame you. I didn't realize The sight of Rob lying in bed there, so gone to piecesit made

ANDREW[Springing to his feet again and pacing up and down.] Thank God I came back before it was too

late. This doctor will know exactly what to do to bring him back to health. That's the first thing to think of.

When Rob's on his feet again we can get the farm working on a sound basis once more. I'll see to it so that

ANDREWI expected tountil I got to New York. Then I learned certain facts that make it necessary. [With a

short laugh.] To be candid, Ruth, I'm not the rich man you've probably been led to believe by my lettersnot

now. I was when I wrote them. I made money hand over fist as long as I stuck to legitimate trading; but I

wasn't content with that. I wanted it to come easier, so like all the rest of the idiots, I tried speculation. It was

funny, too. I'd always been dead set against that form of gambling before. I guess there's still enough of the

farmer in me to make me feel squeemish about Wheat Pits. But I got into it just the same, and it seemed as if

I never had a chance to get out. Oh, I won all right! Several times I've been almost a millionaireon paperand

then come down to earth again with a bump. Finally the strain was too much. I got disgusted with myself and

made up my mind to get out and come home and forget it and really live again. I got outwith just a quarter of

a million dollars more than I'd had when I landed there five years before. [He gives a harsh laugh.] And now

comes the funny part. The day before the steamer sailed I saw what I thought was a chance to become a

millionaire again. [He snaps his fingers.] That easy! I plunged. Then, before things broke, I leftI was so

confident I couldn't be wrongand I left explicit orders to friends. [Bitterly.] Friends! Well, maybe it wasn't

their fault. A fool deserves what he gets. Anyway, when I landed in New YorkI wired you I had business to

wind up, didn't I? Well, it was the business that wound me up! [He smiles grimly, pacing up and down, his

ANDREW[Sitting down again.] Practically. [He takes a cigar from his pocket, bites the end off, and lights

it.] Oh, I don't mean I'm dead broke. I've saved ten thousand from the wreckage, maybe twenty. But that's a

poor showing for five years' hard work. That's why I'll have to go back. [Confidently.] I can make it up in a

year or so down thereand I don't need but a shoestring to start with. [A weary expression comes over his face

and he sighs heavily.] I wish I didn't have to. I'm sick of it all. And I'd made so many plans about converting

this place into a real home for all of us, and a working proposition that'd pay big at the same time. [With

ANDREW[Shaking of his depressionbriskly.] They might be much worse. There's enough left to fix the farm

O. K. before I go. I won't leave 'til Rob's on his feet again. In the meantime I'll make things fly around here.

[With satisfaction.] I need a rest, and the kind of rest I need is hard work in the openjust like I used to do in

the old days. I'll organize things on a working basis and get a real man to carry out my plans while I'm

awaywhat I intended to do the last time. [Stopping abruptly and lowering his voice cautiously.] Not a word to

Rob about my losing money! Remember that, Ruth! You can see why. If he's grown so touchy he'd never

RUTHYes, Andy. [After a pause, during which ANDREW puffs at his cigar abstractedly, his mind evidently

busy with plans for the future, the bedroom door is opened and DOCTOR FAWCETT enters, carrying a bag.

He closes the door quietly behind him and comes forward, a grave expression on his face. ANDREW springs

ANDREWAh, Doctor! [He pushes a chair between his own and RUTH'S.] Won't you have a chair?

FAWCETT[Glancing at his watch.] I must catch the nine o'clock back to the city. It's imperative. I have

only a moment. [Sitting down and clearing his throatin a perfunctory, impersonal voice.] The case of your

brother, Mr. Mayo, is[He stops and glances at RUTH and says meaningly to ANDREW.] Perhaps it would be

RUTH[With dogged resentment.] I know what you mean, Doctor; but I'm not going. I'm his wife, and I've

got a right to hear what you're going to say. [Dully.] Don't be afraid I can't stand it. I'm used to bearing

trouble by this; and I can guess what you've found out. Don't you s'pose I could see it staring out of his eyes

at me these last days? [She hesitates for a momentthen continues in a monotonous voice.] Rob's going to die.

FAWCETT[Raising his hand as if to command silence.] In view of what you have said, Mrs. Mayo, I see no

reason to withhold the facts from you. [He turns to ANDREW.] I am afraid my diagnosis of your brother's

FAWCETT[Calmly.] I am concerned only with facts, my dear sir, and this is one of them. Your brother has

not long to liveperhaps a few days, perhaps only a few hours. I would not dare to venture a prediction on that

score. It is a marvel that he is alive at this moment. My examination revealed that both of his lungs are

terribly affected. A hemorrhage, resulting from any exertion or merely through the unaided progress of the

ANDREW[Brokenly.] Good God! [RUTH keeps her eyes fixed on her lap in a trancelike stare.]

FAWCETTI am sorry I have to tell you this, sorry my trip should prove to be of such little avail. If there was

FAWCETT[Shaking his head.] I am afraid not. It is too late. Six months ago there might have

FAWCETTThat might have prolonged his life six months ago. [ANDREW groans.] But now[He shrugs his

shoulders significantly.] I would only be raising a hope in you foredoomed to disappointment if I encouraged

any belief that a change of air could accomplish the impossible. He could not make a journey. The

ANDREW[Appalled by a sudden thought.] Good heavens, you haven't told him this, have you, Doctor?

FAWCETTNo. I lied to him. I said a change of climate to the mountains, the desert would bring about a

cure. [Perplexedly.] He laughed at that. He seemed to find it amusing for some reason or other. I am sure he

knew I was lying. A clear foresight seems to come to people as near death as he is. [He sighs.] One feels

foolish lying to them; and yet one feels one ought to do it, I don't know why. [He looks at his watch again

nervously.] I must take my leave of you. It is really imperative that I take no risk of missing[He gets up.]

ANDREW[Getting to his feetinsistently.] But there must still be a chance for him, isn't there, Doctor?

FAWCETT[As if he were reassuring a child.] There is always that last chancethe miracle. We doctors see it

happen too often to disbelieve in it. [He puts on his hat and coatbowing to RUTH.] Goodby, Mrs. Mayo.

ANDREW[Mechanically.] I'll walk to the car with you, Doctor. [They go out the door. RUTH sits

motionlessly. The motor is heard starting and the noise gradually recedes into the distance. ANDREW

reenters and sits down in his chair, holding his head in his hands.] Ruth! [She lifts her eyes to his.] Hadn't

we better go in and see him? God! I'm afraid to! I know he'll read it in my face. [The bedroom door is

noiselessly opened and ROBERT appears in the doorway. His cheeks are flushed with fever, and his eyes

appear unusually large and brilliant. ANDREW continues with a groan.] It can't be, Ruth. It can't be as

hopeless as he said. There's always a fighting chance. We'll take Rob to Arizona. He's got to get well. There

ROBERT[In a gentle tone.] Why must there, Andy? [RUTH turns and stares at him with terrified eyes.]

ANDREW[Whirling around.] Rob! [Scoldingly.] What are you doing out of bed? [He gets up and goes to

him.] Get right back now and obey the Doc, or you're going to get a licking from me!

ANDREWLike hell I will! You're going right back to bed, that's where you're going, and stay there! [He

ROBERT[Mockingly.] Stay there 'til I die, eh, Andy? [Coldly.] Don't behave like a child. I'm sick of lying

down. I'll be more rested sitting up. [As ANDREW hesitatesviolently.] I swear I'll get out of bed every time

you put me there. You'll have to sit on my chest, and that wouldn't help my health any. Come on, Andy. Don't

play the fool. I want to talk to you, and I'm going to. [With a grim smile.] A dying man has some rights,

ANDREW[With a shudder.] Don't talk that way, for God's sake! Remember. [He helps ROB to the chair

between his own and RUTH'S.] Easy now! There you are! Wait, and I'll get a pillow for you. [He goes into

the bedroom. ROBERT looks at RUTH who shrinks away from him in terror. ROBERT smiles bitterly.

ANDREW comes back with the pillow which he places behind ROBERT'S back.] How's that?

ROBERT[With an affectionate smile.] Fine! Thank you! [As ANDREW sits down.] Listen, Andy. You've

asked me not to talkand I won't after I've made my position clear. [Slowly.] In the first place I know I'm

dying. [RUTH bows her head and covers her face with her hands. She remains like this all during the scene

ROBERT[Wearily.] It is so! Don't lie to me. It's useless and it irritates me. After Ruth put me to bed before

you came, I saw it clearly for the first time. [Bitterly.] I'd been making plans for our futureRuth's and mineso

it came hard at firstthe realization. Then when the doctor examined me, I knewalthough he tried to lie about

it. And then to make sure I listened at the door to what he told you. So, for my sake, don't mock me with fairy

tales about Arizona, or any such rot as that. Because I'm dying is no reason you should treat me as an

imbecile or a coward. Now that I'm sure what's happening I can say Kismet to it with all my heart. It was only

the silly uncertainty that hurt. [There is a pause. ANDREW looks around in impotent anguish, not knowing

ANDREW[Finally blurts out.] It isn't foolish. You have got a chance. If you heard all the Doctor said that

ROBERTOh, you mean when he spoke of the possibility of a miracle? [Dryly.] The Doctor and I disagree on

that point. I don't believe in miraclesin my case. Beside I know more than any doctor in earth could

knowbecause I feel what's coming. [Dismissing the subject.] But we've agreed not to talk of it. Tell me about

yourself, Andy, and what you've done all these years. That's what I'm interested in. Your letters were too

ROBERT[With a faint trace of irony.] I judge from them you've accomplished all you set out to do five

ROBERTI'm glad. You can do to the farm all I've undone. [With a smile.] Do you know I was too proud to

ask you for money when things went bad here? You'll have to forgive me for that, Andy.

ROBERTBut what did you do down there? Tell me. You went in the grain business with that friend of

ANDREWYes. After two years I had a share in it. I sold out last year. [He is answering ROB'S questions

ROBERTWhat's the matter? What's there to be ashamed of? You look as if I was accusing you of crimes.

ANDREWI'm proud enough of the first four years. It's after that I'm not boasting of. You see, I couldn't

ROBERT[Thoughtfully.] I've been wondering what the great change was in you. I can see now. It's your

eyes. There's an expression about them as if you were constantly waiting to hear a cannon go off, and

ROBERT[After a pause during which his eyes search ANDREW'S face.] Why haven't you ever married?

ROBERT[After a pause.] Youa farmerto gamble in a wheat pit with scraps of paper. There's a spiritual

significance in that picture, Andy. [He smiles bitterly.] I'm a failure, and Ruth's anotherbut we can both justly

lay some of the blame for our stumbling on God. But you're the deepestdyed failure of the three, Andy.

You've spent eight years running away from yourself. Do you see what I mean? You used to be a creator

when you loved the farm. You and life were in harmonious partnership. And now[He stops as if seeking

vainly for words.] My brain is muddled. But part of what I mean is that your gambling with the thing you

used to love to create proves how far astray you've gotten from the truth. So you'll be punished. You'll have

to suffer to win back[His voice grows weaker and he sighs wearily.] It's no use. I can't say it. [He lies back

ANDREW[Slowly.] I think I know what you're driving at, Roband it's true, I guess. [ROBERT smiles

ROBERTRemember, Andy, Ruth has suffered double her share, and you haven't suffered at all. [His voice

faltering with weakness.] Only through contact with suffering, Andy, will youawaken. Listen. You must

RUTH[With a cry.] Rob! [ROBERT lies back, his eyes closed, gasping heavily for breath.]

ANDREW[Making signs to her to humor himgently.] You're tired out, Rob. You shouldn't have talked so

much. You better lie down and rest a while, don't you think? We can talk later on.

ROBERT[With a mocking smile.] Later on! You always were an optimist, Andy! [He sighs with

exhaustion.] Yes, I'll go and rest a while. [As ANDREW comes to help him.] It must be near sunrise, isn't it?

ROBERT[As ANDREW helps him to the bedroom.] Pull the bed around so it'll face the window, will you,

Andy? I can't sleep, but I'll rest and forget if I can watch the rim of the hills and dream of what is waiting

beyond. [They go into the bedroom.] And shut the door, Andy. I want to be alone. [ANDREW reappears and

shuts the door softly. He comes and sits down on his chair again, supporting his head on his hands. His face

ANDREWHe may be a little delirious. The fever would do that. [With impotent rage.] God, what a shame!

And there's nothing we can do but sit andwait! [He springs from his chair and walks to the stove.]

RUTH[Dully.] He was talkingwildlike he used toonly this time it soundedunnatural, don't you think?

ANDREWI don't know. The things he said to me had truth in themeven if he did talk them way up in the air,

like he always sees things. Still[He glances down at RUTH keenly.] Why do you suppose he wanted us to

ANDREWNo, it wasn't that. He knows very well I'd naturally look after you withoutanything like that.

RUTHHe might be thinking ofsomething happened five years back, the time you came home from the trip.

RUTHYes, mostly. You see I'd found out I'd made a mistake about Rob soon after we were marriedwhen it

RUTHAnd then I thought that when Mary came it'd be different, and I'd love him; but it didn't happen that

way. And I couldn't bear with his blundering and bookreadingand I grew to hate him, almost.

RUTHI couldn't help it. No woman could. It had to be because I loved someone else, I'd found out. [She

sighs wearily.] It can't do no harm to tell you nowwhen it's all past and goneand dead. You were the one I

RUTHIt was truethen. [With sudden fierceness.] How could I help it? No woman could.

RUTH[Doggedly.] YesI saw then; but I'd known your real reason for leaving home the first timeeverybody

RUTHYes. Then that day on the hill you laughed about what a fool you'd been for loving me onceand I knew

ANDREWGood God, but I never thought[He stops, shuddering at his remembrance.] And did Rob

RUTHThat was what I'd started to tell. We'd had a fight just before you came and I got crazy madand I told

ANDREW[Shrinking away from her in horror.] Youyouyou mad fool, you! How could you do such a thing?

ANDREWAnd the thought of the childhis child and yourscouldn't keep your mouth shut?

ANDREWThen Rob must have known every moment I stayed here! And yet he never said or showedGod,

ANDREWLiked you! How can you talk in that cold tonenowwhen he's dying! What kind of a woman are

you? I'd never believe it was in you to be so Couldn't you have kept silentno matter what you felt or thought?

Did you have to torture him? No wonder he's dying. I don't see how he's lived through it as long as he has. I

ANDREWAnd you've lived together for five years with this horrible secret between you?

RUTHI don't know. We've never spoke a word about it since that day. Maybe, from the way he went on, he

ANDREWBut you don't. You can't. It's outrageous. It's stupid! You don't love me!

ANDREW[Brutally.] And I don't love you, that's sure! [He sinks into his chair, his head between his

hands.] It's damnable such a thing should be between Rob and mewe that have been pals ever since we were

born, almost. Why, I love Rob better'n anybody in the world and always did. There isn't a thing on God's

green earth I wouldn't have done to keep trouble away from him. And now I have to be the very oneit's

damnable! How am I going to face him again? What can I say to him now? [He groans with anguished rage.

ANDREWWhat? Lie to him nowwhen he's dying? Can you believe I'd descend as low as that? And there's

no sense in my lying. He knows I don't love you. [Determinedly.] No! It's you who'll have to do the lying,

since it must be done. You're the cause of all this. You've got to! You've got a chance now to undo some of

all the suffering you've brought on Rob. Go in to him! Tell him you never loved meit was all a mistake. Tell

him you only said so because you were mad and didn't know what you were saying, and you've been ashamed

to own up to the truth before this. Tell him something, anything, that'll bring him peace and make him believe

ANDREW[Furiously.] You've got to make him believe you, do you hear? You've got tonowhurryyou never

know when it may be too late. [As she hesitatesimploringly.] For God's sake, Ruth! Don't you see you owe it

RUTH[Dully.] I'll go. [She gets wearily to her feet and walks slowly toward the bedroom.] But it won't do

any good. [ANDREW'S eyes are fixed on her anxiously. She opens the door and steps inside the room. She

remains standing there for a minute. Then she calls in a frightened voice.] Rob! Where are you? [Then she

RUTH[Interrupting himhysterically.] He's gone! He isn't in there. The bed's empty. The window's wide

ANDREW[Springing to his feet. He rushes into the bedroom and returns immediately with an expression of

alarmed amazement on his face.] Come! He can't have gone far! We've got to find him! [Grabbing his hat he

takes RUTH'S arm and shoves her toward the door.] Come on! [Opening the door.] Let's hope to God[The

SCENESame as Act One, Scene OneA section of country highway. The sky to the east is already alight with

bright color and a thin, quivering line of flame is spreading slowly along the horizon rim of the dark hills.

The roadside, however, is still steeped in the greyness of the dawn, shadowy and vague. The field in the

foreground has a wild uncultivated appearance as if it had been allowed to remain fallow the preceding

summer. Parts of the snakefence in the rear have been broken down. The apple tree is leafless and seems

ROBERT staggers weakly in from the left. He stumbles into the ditch and lies there for a moment; then

crawls with a great effort to the top of the bank where he can see the sun rise, and collapses weakly. RUTH

ANDREW[Stopping and looking about him.] There he is! I knew it! I knew we'd find him here.

ROBERT[Trying to raise himself to a sitting position as they hasten to his sidewith a wan smile.] I thought

ANDREW[With kindly bullying.] Well you didn't, you old scoundrel, and we're going to take you right back

where you belongin bed. [He makes a motion to lift ROBERT.] What d'you mean by running away like this,

ROBERT[Simply.] No. I'm dying. [He falls back weakly. RUTH sinks down beside him with a sob and

pillows his head on her lap.] Don't try to move me, Andy. It would mean. I had a bad hemorrhagetrying to

get here. I knew then it was onlya few minutes more. [ANDREW stands looking down at him helplessly.

ROBERT moves his head restlessly on RUTH'S lap.] There! Just so I can seethe sun. I couldn't stand it back

there in the room. It seemed as if all my lifeI'd been cooped in a room. So I thought I'd try to end as I might

haveif I'd had the courage to live my dream. Alonein a ditch by the open roadwatching the sun rise.

ANDREWRob! Don't talk. You're wasting your strength. Rest a while and then we'll carry you

ROBERTStill hoping, Andy? Don't. I know. [There is a pause during which he breathes heavily, straining

his eyes toward the horizon.] The sun comes so slowly. I haven't longto wait. [With an ironical smile.] The

doctor told me to go to the faroff placesand I'd be cured. He was right. That was always the cure for me. It's

too latefor this worldbut in the next I'll not missthe secret. [He has a fit of coughing which racks his body.]

ANDREW[With a hoarse sob.] Rob! [He clenches his fists in an impotent rage against fate.] God! God!

ROBERT[In a voice which is suddenly ringing with the happiness of hope.] You mustn't feel sorry for me.

It's ridiculous! Don't you see I'm happy at lastbecause I'm making a start to the faroff placesfreefree!freed

from the farmfree to wander on and oneternally! Even the hills are powerless to shut me in now. [He raises

himself on his elbow, his face radiant, and points to the horizon.] Look! Isn't it beautiful beyond the hills? I

can hear the old voices calling me to come[Exultantly.] And this time I'm goingI'm free! It isn't the end. It's a

free beginningthe start of my voyage! Don't you see? I've won to my tripthe right of releasebeyond the

horizon! Oh, you ought to be gladgladfor my sake! [He collapses weakly.] Andy! [ANDREW bends down to

ROBERTRuth has sufferedand for your own sake and hersremember, Andyonly through sacrificethe secret

beyond there[He suddenly raises himself with his last remaining strength and points to the horizon where the

edge of the sun's disc is rising from the rim of the hills.] The sun! [He remains with his eyes fixed on it for a

moment. A rattling noise throbs from his throat. He mumbles:] Remember! [And falls back and is still. RUTH

gives a cry of horror and springs to her feet, shuddering, her hands over her eyes. ANDREW bends on one

knee beside the body, placing a hand over ROBERT'S heart, then he kisses his brother reverentially on the

ANDREW[Facing RUTH, the body between themin a dead voice.] He's dead. [With a sudden burst of

ANDREW[Pointing to the bodytrembling with the violence of his rage.] This is your doing, you damn

woman, you coward, you murderess! He's dead because you've killed him, do you hear?

RUTH[Sobbing.] Don't, Andy! Stop! I couldn't help itand he knew how I'd suffered, too. He told youto

ANDREW[Stares at her for a moment, his rage ebbing away, an expression of deep pity gradually coming

over his face. Then he glances down at his brother and speaks brokenly in a compassionate voice.] Forgive

me, Ruthfor his sake. I know he was rightand I'll remember what he said. [RUTH lets her hands fall from her

face and looks at him uncomprehendingly. He lifts his eyes to hers and forces out falteringly:] Iyouwe've

both made such a mess of things! We must try to help each otherandin timewe'll come to know what's right to

do[Desperately.] And perhaps we[But RUTH, if she is aware of his words, gives no sign. She remains silent,

gazing at him dully with the sad humility of exhaustion, her mind already sinking back into that spent calm