MAYO. (_incoherently_) I’m goin’--to bed, Katey. It’s late, Katey--it’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 rigidly looking straight in front of him, his fists clenched at his sides_). SCOTT. (_the first to find his voice--with 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 calmed down a bit. ANDREW. (_in a dead voice_) You don’t know him. (_Defiantly_) What’s said is said and can’t be unsaid; and I’ve chosen. ROBERT. (_with violent protest_) Andy! You can’t go! This is all so stupid--and terrible! ANDREW. (_coldly_) I’ll talk to you in a minute, Rob. (_Crushed by his brother’s attitude_ ROBERT _sinks down into a chair, holding his head in his hands_). SCOTT. (_comes and slaps_ ANDREW _on the back_) 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_) 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 goin’ aloft to turn in. 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, left_) Well, good night. ANDREW. Good 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 best--let’s hope. It couldn’t be helped--what’s happened. ROBERT. (_wildly_) But it’s a lie, Andy, a lie! ANDREW. Of course it’s a lie. You know it and I know it,--but that’s all ought to know it. ROBERT. Pa’ll never forgive you. Oh, the whole affair is so senseless--and tragic. Why did you think you must go away? ANDREW. You 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 day--and me alone. I couldn’t stand it--not after all the plans I’d made to happen on this place thinking---- (_his voice breaks_) thinking she cared for me.