RUTH. (_indifferently_) How are you feeling now? ROBERT. (_buoyantly_) Better! Much better than I’ve felt in ages. Really I’m fine now--only very weak. It’s the turning point, I guess. From now on I’ll pick up so quick I’ll surprise you--and no thanks to that old fool of a country quack, either. RUTH. He’s always tended to us. ROBERT. Always helped us to die, you mean! He “tended” to Pa and Ma and--(_his voice breaks_)--and to--Mary. RUTH. (_dully_) He did the best he knew, I s’pose. (_After a pause_) Well, Andy’s bringing a specialist with him when he comes. That ought to suit you. ROBERT. (_bitterly_) Is that why you’re waiting up all night? RUTH. Yes. ROBERT. For Andy? RUTH. (_without a trace of feeling_) Somebody had got to. It’s only right for someone to meet him after he’s been gone five years. ROBERT. (_with bitter mockery_) Five years! It’s a long time. RUTH. Yes. ROBERT. (_meaningly_) To _wait_! RUTH. (_indifferently_) It’s past now. ROBERT. Yes, it’s past. (_After a pause_) Have you got his two telegrams with you? (RUTH _nods_) Let me see them, will you? My head was so full of fever when they came I couldn’t make head or tail to them. (_Hastily_) But I’m feeling fine now. Let me read them again. (RUTH _takes them from the bosom of her dress and hands them to him_). RUTH. Here. The first one’s on top. ROBERT. (_opening it_) New York. “Just landed from steamer. Have important business to wind up here. Will be home as soon as deal is completed.” (_He smiles bitterly_) Business first was always Andy’s motto (_He reads_) “Hope you are all well. Andy.” (_He repeats ironically_) “Hope you are all well!” RUTH. (_dully_) He couldn’t know you’d been took sick till I answered that and told him. ROBERT. (_contritely_) Of course he couldn’t. I’m a fool. I’m touchy about nothing lately. Just what did you say in your reply? RUTH. (_inconsequentially_) I had to send it collect. ROBERT. (_irritably_) What did you say was the matter with me? RUTH. I wrote you had lung trouble. ROBERT. (_flying into a petty temper_) You _are_ a fool! How often have I explained to you that it’s _pleurisy_ is the matter with me. You can’t seem to get it in your head that the pleura is outside the lungs, not in them! RUTH. (_callously_) I only wrote what Doctor Smith told me. ROBERT. (_angrily_) He’s a damned ignoramus! RUTH. (_dully_) Makes no difference. I had to tell Andy something, didn’t I? ROBERT. (_after a pause, opening the other telegram_) He sent this last evening. Let’s see. (_He reads_) “Leave for home on midnight train. Just received your wire. Am bringing specialist to see Rob. Will motor to farm from Port.” (_He calculates_) What time is it now? RUTH. Round six, must be. ROBERT. He ought to be here soon. I’m glad he’s bringing a doctor who knows something. A specialist will tell you in a second that there’s nothing the matter with my lungs. RUTH. (_stolidly_) You’ve been coughing an awful lot lately.