RUTH. I know. I met him on the road a second ago. He told me you were here. (_Tenderly playful_) I wasn’t looking for Andy, Smarty, if that’s what you mean. I was looking for _you_. ROBERT. Because I’m going away tomorrow? RUTH. Because your mother was anxious to have you come home and asked me to look for you. I just wheeled Ma over to your house. ROBERT. (_perfunctorily_) How is your mother? RUTH. (_a shadow coming over her face_) She’s about the same. She never seems to get any better or any worse. Oh, Rob, I do wish she’d try to make the best of things that can’t be helped. ROBERT. Has she been nagging at you again? RUTH. (_nods her head, and then breaks forth rebelliously_) She never stops nagging. No matter what I do for her she finds fault. If only Pa was still living---- (_She stops as if ashamed of her outburst_) I suppose I shouldn’t complain this way. (_She sighs_) Poor Ma, Lord knows it’s hard enough for her. I suppose it’s natural to be cross when you’re not able ever to walk a step. Oh, I’d like to be going away some place--like you! ROBERT. It’s hard to stay--and equally hard to go, sometimes. RUTH. There! If I’m not the stupid body! I swore I wasn’t going to speak about your trip--until after you’d gone; and there I go, first thing! ROBERT. Why didn’t you want to speak of it? RUTH. Because I didn’t want to spoil this last night you’re here. Oh, Rob, I’m going to--we’re all going to miss you so awfully. Your mother is going around looking as if she’d burst out crying any minute. You ought to know how I feel. Andy and you and I--why it seems as if we’d always been together. ROBERT. (_with a wry attempt at a smile_) You and Andy will still have each other. It’ll be harder for me without anyone. RUTH. But you’ll have new sights and new people to take your mind off; while we’ll be here with the old, familiar place to remind us every minute of the day. It’s a shame you’re going--just at this time, in spring, when everything is getting so nice. (_With a sigh_) I oughtn’t to talk that way when I know going’s the best thing for you. You’re bound to find all sorts of opportunities to get on, your father says. ROBERT. (_heatedly_) I don’t give a damn about that! I wouldn’t take a voyage across the road for the best opportunity in the world of the kind Pa thinks of. (_He smiles at his own irritation_) Excuse me, Ruth, for getting worked up over it; but Andy gave me an overdose of the practical considerations. RUTH. (_slowly, puzzled_) Well, then, if it isn’t---- (_With sudden intensity_) Oh, Rob, why _do_ you want to go? ROBERT. (_turning to her quickly, in surprise--slowly_) Why do you ask that, Ruth? RUTH. (_dropping her eyes before his searching glance_) Because---- (_Lamely_) It seems such a shame. ROBERT. (_insistently_) Why? RUTH. Oh, because--everything. ROBERT. I could hardly back out now, even if I wanted to. And I’ll be forgotten before you know it.