ROBERT. Those were the only happy moments of my life then, dreaming there at the window. I liked to be all alone--those times. I got to know all the different kinds of sunsets by heart. And all those sunsets took place over there--(_He points_) beyond the horizon. So gradually I came to believe that all the wonders of the world happened on the other side of those hills. There was the home of the good fairies who performed beautiful miracles. I believed in fairies then. (_With a smile_) Perhaps I still do believe in them. Anyway, in those days they were real enough, and sometimes I could actually hear them calling to me to come out and play with them, dance with them down the road in the dusk in a game of hide-and-seek to find out where the sun was hiding himself. They sang their little songs to me, songs that told of all the wonderful things they had in their home on the other side of the hills; and they promised to show me all of them, if I’d only come, come! But I couldn’t come then, and I used to cry sometimes and Ma would think I was in pain. (_He breaks off suddenly with a laugh_) That’s why I’m going now, I suppose. For I can still hear them calling. But the horizon is as far away and as luring as ever. (_He turns to her--softly_) Do you understand now, Ruth? RUTH. (_spellbound, in a whisper_) Yes. ROBERT. You feel it then? RUTH. Yes, yes, I do! (_Unconsciously she snuggles close against his side. His arm steals about her as if he were not aware of the action_) Oh, Rob, how could I help feeling it? You tell things so beautifully! ROBERT. (_suddenly realizing that his arm is around her, and that her head is resting on his shoulder, gently takes his arm away._ RUTH, _brought back to herself, is overcome with confusion_) So now you know why I’m going. It’s for that reason--that and one other. RUTH. You’ve another? Then you must tell me that, too. ROBERT. (_looking at her searchingly. She drops her eyes before his gaze_) I wonder if I ought to! You’ll promise not to be angry--whatever it is? RUTH. (_softly, her face still averted_) Yes, I promise. ROBERT. (_simply_) I love you. That’s the other reason. RUTH. (_hiding her face in her hands_) Oh, Rob! ROBERT. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I feel I have to. It can’t matter now that I’m going so far away, and for so long--perhaps forever. I’ve loved you all these years, but the realization never came ’til I agreed to go away with Uncle Dick. Then I thought of leaving you, and the pain of that thought revealed to me in a flash--that I loved you, had loved you as long as I could remember. (_He gently pulls one of_ RUTH’S _hands away from her face_) You mustn’t mind my telling you this, Ruth. I realize how impossible it all is--and I understand; for the revelation of my own love seemed to open my eyes to the love of others. I saw Andy’s love for you--and I knew that you must love him.