Brothers -- Drama; Domestic drama; Farm life -- Drama
ROBERT. (_wearily_) It _is_ so! Don’t lie to me. After Ruth put me to
bed before you came, I saw it clearly for the first time. (_Bitterly_)
I’d been making plans for our future--Ruth’s and mine--so it came hard
at first--the realization. Then when the doctor examined me, I
knew--although he tried to lie about it. And then to make sure I
listened at the door to what he told you. So don’t mock me with fairy
tales about Arizona, or any such rot as that. Because I’m dying is no
reason you should treat me as an imbecile or a coward. Now that I’m sure
what’s happening I can say Kismet to it with all my heart. It was only
the silly uncertainty that hurt. (_There is a pause._ ANDREW _looks
around in impotent anguish, not knowing what to say_. ROBERT _regards
him with an affectionate smile_).
ANDREW. (_finally blurts out_) It isn’t foolish. You _have_ got a
chance. If you heard all the Doctor said that ought to prove it to you.
ROBERT. Oh, you mean when he spoke of the miracle? (_Dryly_) I don’t
believe in miracles--in my case. Besides, I know more than any doctor on
earth _could_ know--because I _feel_ what’s coming. (_Dismissing the
subject_) But we’ve agreed not to talk of it. Tell me about yourself,
Andy. That’s what I’m interested in. Your letters were too brief and far
apart to be illuminating.
ANDREW. I meant to write oftener.
ROBERT. (_with a faint trace of irony_) I judge from them you’ve
accomplished all you set out to do five years ago?
ANDREW. That isn’t much to boast of.
ROBERT. (_surprised_) Have you really, honestly reached that conclusion?
ANDREW. Well, it doesn’t seem to amount to much now.
ROBERT. But you’re rich, aren’t you?
ANDREW. (_with a quick glance at_ RUTH) Yes, I s’pose so.
ROBERT. I’m glad. You can do to the farm all I’ve undone. But what did
you do down there? Tell me. You went in the grain business with that
friend of yours?
ANDREW. Yes. After two years I had a share in it. I sold out last year.
(_He is answering_ ROBERT’S _questions with great reluctance_).
ROBERT. And then?
ANDREW. I went in on my own.
ROBERT. Still in grain?
ANDREW. Yes.
ROBERT. What’s the matter? You look as if I were accusing you of
something.
ANDREW. I’m proud enough of the first four years. It’s after that I’m
not boasting of. I took to speculating.
ROBERT. In wheat?
ANDREW. Yes.
ROBERT. And you made money--gambling?
ANDREW. Yes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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