ANDREW. We call this a farm--but you ought to hear about the farms down there--ten square miles where we’ve got an acre. It’s a new country where big things are opening up--and I want to get in on something big before I die. 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 _absent-minded expression and laughs_) Wake up, you old poetry book worm, you! I know my talking about business makes you want to choke me, doesn’t it? ROBERT. (_with an embarrassed smile_) No, Andy, I--I 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? ROBERT. No. ANDREW. I walked over it this morning with Ruth--and she told me about things---- (_Evasively_) I could see the place had run down; but you mustn’t blame yourself. When luck’s against anyone---- ROBERT. Don’t, Andy! It _is_ my fault. You know it as well as I do. The best I’ve ever done was to make ends meet. ANDREW. (_after a pause_) I’ve got over a thousand saved, and you can have that. ROBERT. (_firmly_) No. You need that for your start in Buenos Aires. ANDREW. I don’t. I can---- ROBERT. (_determinedly_) No, Andy! Once and for all, no! I won’t hear of it! ANDREW. (_protestingly_) You obstinate old son of a gun! ROBERT. Oh, everything’ll be on a sound footing after harvest. Don’t worry about it. ANDREW. (_doubtfully_) Maybe. (_After a pause_) It’s too bad Pa couldn’t have lived to see things through. (_With feeling_) It cut me up a lot--hearing he was dead. He never--softened up, did he--about me, I mean? ROBERT. He never understood, that’s a kinder way of putting it. He does now. ANDREW. (_after a pause_) You’ve forgotten all about what--caused 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 about--that--before I’d been at sea six months. ROBERT. (_turns and looks into_ ANDREW’S _eyes searchingly_) You’re speaking of--Ruth?