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. (_Scornfully_) Get a man to take your place! 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’ your rightful responsibility. ANDREW. (_looking at the floor--simply_) I’m sorry, Pa. (_After a slight pause_) It’s no use talking any more about it. MRS. MAYO. (_in relief_) There! I knew Andy’d come to his senses! ANDREW. Don’t get the wrong idea, Ma. I’m not backing out. MAYO. You mean you’re goin’ in spite of--everythin’? ANDREW. Yes. I’m going. I’ve got to. (_He looks at his father defiantly_) I feel I oughn’t to miss this chance to go out into the world and see things, and--I want to go. MAYO. (_with bitter scorn_) So--you 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 bare-faced lie! (_Bursting out_) You’re a liar, Andy Mayo, and a mean one to boot! MRS. MAYO. James! ROBERT. Pa! SCOTT. Steady there, Jim! MAYO. (_waving their protests aside_) He is and he knows it. ANDREW. (_his face flushed_) I won’t argue with you, Pa. You can think as badly of me as you like. MAYO. (_shaking his finger at_ ANDY, _in a cold rage_) You know I’m speakin’ truth--that’s why you’re afraid to argy! You lie when you say you want to go ’way--and see thin’s! You ain’t got no likin’ in the world to go. 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. ’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 and riled ’cause your own brother’s got Ruth ’stead o’ you, and---- ANDREW. (_his face crimson--tensely_) Stop, Pa! I won’t stand hearing that--not 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 open-mouthed_. 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! 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 shoulder--stubbornly_) The truth--God’s truth!