RUTH. (_with a strangled cry of joy_) Andy! Andy! (_She rushes and grabs the knob of the screen door, about to fling it open_). 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 and walk slowly into the bedroom_). ANDY’S VOICE. (_in a louder shout_) Ahoy there, Rob! ROBERT. (_in an answering shout of forced cheeriness_) Hello, Andy! (_He opens the door and walks out as_ (_The Curtain Falls_) ACT TWO SCENE TWO _The top of a hill on the farm. It is about eleven o’clock the next morning. The day is hot and cloudless. In the distance the sea can be seen._ _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 be detected through the bleached, sun-scorched grass._ 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._ MARY. (_pulling at his hand--solicitously_) Dada sick? ROBERT. (_looking at her with a forced smile_) No, dear. Why? MARY. Play wif Mary. ROBERT. (_gently_) No, dear, not today. Dada doesn’t feel like playing today. MARY. (_protestingly_) Yes, Dada! ROBERT. No, dear. Dada does feel sick--a little. He’s got a bad headache. MARY. Mary see. (_He bends his head. She pats his hair_) Bad head. ROBERT. (_kissing her--with a smile_) There! It’s better now, dear, thank you. (_She cuddles up close against him. There is a pause during which each of them looks out seaward_) (_Finally_ ROBERT _turns to her tenderly_) Would you like Dada to go away?--far, far away? MARY. (_tearfully_) No! No! No, Dada, no! ROBERT. Don’t you like Uncle Andy--the man that came yesterday--not the old man with the white mustache--the other? MARY. Mary loves Dada. ROBERT. (_with fierce determination_) He won’t go away, baby. He was only joking. He couldn’t leave his little Mary. (_He presses the child in his arms_). MARY. (_with an exclamation of pain_) Oh! Hurt! ROBERT. I’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 points down the hill to the left_). MARY. Mans, Dada.