ANDREW. Sure thing. Oh, I don’t mean right off. I’ll have to wait for a ship sailing there for quite a while, likely. Anyway, I want to stay to home and visit with you folks a spell before I go. RUTH. (_dumbly_) I s’pose. (_With sudden anguish_) Oh, Andy, you can’t go! You can’t. Why we’ve all thought--we’ve all been hoping and praying you was coming home to stay, to settle down on the farm and see to things. You mustn’t go! Think of how your Ma’ll take on if you go--and how the farm’ll be ruined if you leave it to Rob to look after. You can see that. ANDREW. (_frowning_) Rob hasn’t done so bad. When I get a man to direct things the farm’ll be safe enough. RUTH. (_insistently_) But your Ma--think of her. ANDREW. She’s used to me being away. She won’t object when she knows it’s best for her and all of us for me to go. You ask Rob. In a couple of years down there I’ll make my pile, see if I don’t; and then I’ll come back and settle down and turn this farm into the crackiest place in the whole state. In the meantime, I can help you both from down there. (_Earnestly_) I tell you, Ruth, I’m going to make good right from the minute I land, if working hard and a determination to get on can do it; and I _know_ they can! (_Excitedly--in a rather boastful tone_) I tell you, I feel ripe for bigger things than settling down here. The trip did that for me, anyway. It showed me the world is a larger proposition than ever I thought it was in the old days. I couldn’t be content any more stuck here like a fly in molasses. It all seems trifling, somehow. You ought to be able to understand what I feel. RUTH. (_dully_) Yes--I s’pose I ought. (_After a pause--a sudden suspicion forming in her mind_) What did Rob tell you--about me? ANDREW. Tell? About you? Why, nothing. RUTH. (_staring at him intensely_) Are you telling me the truth, Andy Mayo? Didn’t he say--I---- (_She stops confusedly_). ANDREW. (_surprised_) No, he didn’t mention you, I can remember. Why? What made you think he did? RUTH. (_wringing her hands_) Oh, I wish I could tell if you’re lying or not! ANDREW. (_indignantly_) What’re you talking about? I didn’t used to lie to you, did I? And what in the name of God is there to lie for? RUTH. (_still unconvinced_) Are you sure--will you swear--it isn’t the reason---- (_She lowers her eyes and half turns away from him_) The same reason that made you go last time that’s driving you away again? ’Cause if it is--I was going to say--you mustn’t go--on that account. (_Her voice sinks to a tremulous, tender whisper as she finishes_). ANDREW. (_confused--forces a laugh_) Oh, is that what you’re driving at? Well, you needn’t worry about that no more---- (_Soberly_) I don’t blame you, Ruth, feeling embarrassed having me around again, after the way I played the dumb fool about going away last time. RUTH. (_her hope crushed--with a gasp of pain_) Oh, Andy!