ANDREW. (_half-sitting on the side of the boulder_) Yes. It’s great. RUTH. I’ve taken a holiday in honor of your arrival. (_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 is--cooking and washing dishes all the time. ANDREW. (_making a wry face_) I can guess. RUTH. Besides, 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. ANDREW. That’s just like Ma, bless her! RUTH. She’s missed you terrible. We all have. And you can’t deny the farm has, after what I showed you and told you when we was looking over the place this morning. ANDREW. (_with a frown_) Things are run down, that’s a fact! It’s too darn hard on poor old Rob. RUTH. (_scornfully_) It’s his own fault. He never takes any interest in things. ANDREW. (_reprovingly_) You can’t blame him. He wasn’t born for it; but I know he’s done his best for your sake and the old folks and the little girl. RUTH. (_indifferently_) Yes, I suppose he has. (_Gayly_) 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. ANDREW. Yes, 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 him--an experienced farmer--to 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 careful. RUTH. (_absent-mindedly_) Yes, I s’pose. (_Her mind is filled with premonitions by the first part of his statement_) Why do you want to hire a man to oversee things? Seems as if now that you’re back it wouldn’t be needful. ANDREW. Oh, of course I’ll attend to everything while I’m here. I mean after I’m gone. RUTH. (_as if she couldn’t believe her ears_) Gone! ANDREW. Yes. When I leave for the Argentine again. RUTH. (_aghast_) You’re going away to sea! ANDREW. Not to sea, no; I’m through with the sea for good as a job. I’m going down to Buenos Aires to get in the grain business. RUTH. But--that’s far off--isn’t it? 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. RUTH. (_a flush of anger coming over her face_) And didn’t he try to stop you from going? ANDREW. (_in surprise_) No, of course not. Why? RUTH. (_slowly and vindictively_) That’s just like him--not to. 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. RUTH. (_dazedly_) And you’re bound on going?