ROBERT. (_forcing a smile_) He who hesitates, you know. (_Frowning_) It’s a piece of good luck thrown in your way--and--I think you owe it to yourself to jump at it. But don’t ask me to decide for you. RUTH. (_turning to look at_ ANDREW--_in a tone of fierce resentment_) Yes, go, Andy! (_She turns quickly away again. There is a moment of embarrassed silence_). ANDREW. (_thoughtfully_) Yes, I guess I will. It’ll be the best thing for all of us in the end, don’t you think so, Rob? (ROBERT _nods but remains silent_). SCOTT. (_getting to his feet_) Then, that’s settled. ANDREW. (_now that he has definitely made a decision his voice rings with hopeful strength and energy_) Yes, I’ll take the berth. The sooner I go the sooner I’ll be back, that’s a certainty; and I won’t come back with empty hands next time. You bet I won’t! SCOTT. You ain’t got so much time, Andy. To make sure you’d best leave here soon’s you kin. I got to get right back aboard. You’d best come with me. ANDREW. I’ll go to the house and repack my bag right away. ROBERT. (_quietly_) You’ll both be here for dinner, won’t you? ANDREW. (_worriedly_) I don’t know. Will there be time? What time is it now, I wonder? ROBERT. (_reproachfully_) Ma’s been getting dinner especially for you, Andy. ANDREW. (_flushing--shame-facedly_) Hell! And I was forgetting! Of course I’ll stay for dinner if I missed every damned ship in the world. (_He turns to the_ CAPTAIN--_briskly_) Come on, Uncle. Walk down with me to the house and you can tell me more about this berth on the way. I’ve got to pack before dinner. (_He and the_ CAPTAIN _start down to the left_. ANDREW _calls back over his shoulder_) You’re coming soon, aren’t you, Rob? ROBERT. Yes. I’ll be right down. (ANDREW _and the_ CAPTAIN _leave_. RUTH _puts_ MARY _on the ground and hides her face in her hands. Her shoulders shake as if she were sobbing._ ROBERT _stares at her with a grim, somber expression_. MARY _walks backward toward_ ROBERT, _her wondering eyes fixed on her mother_). MARY. (_her voice vaguely frightened, taking her father’s hand_) Dada, Mama’s cryin’, Dada. ROBERT. (_bending down and stroking her hair--in a voice he endeavors to keep from being harsh_) No, she isn’t, little girl. The sun hurts her eyes, that’s all. Aren’t you beginning to feel hungry, Mary? MARY. (_decidedly_) Yes, Dada. ROBERT. (_meaningly_) It must be your dinner time now. RUTH. (_in a muffled voice_) I’m coming, Mary. (_She wipes her eyes quickly and, without looking at_ ROBERT, _comes and takes_ MARY’S _hand--in a dead voice_) Come on and I’ll get your dinner for you. (_She walks out left, her eyes fixed on the ground, the skipping_ MARY _tugging at her hand_. ROBERT _waits a moment for them to get ahead and then slowly follows as_ (_The Curtain Falls_) BEYOND THE HORIZON ACT THREE ACT THREE SCENE ONE