RUTH. You've been coughing an awful lot...

RUTH. You've been coughing an awful lot lately.

ROBERT. (irritably) What nonsense! For God's sake, haven't you ever had a bad cold yourself? (RUTH stares at the stove in silence. ROBERT fidgets in his chair. There is a pause. Finally ROBERT'S eyes are fixed on the sleeping MRS. ATKINS) Your mother is lucky to be able to sleep so soundly.

RUTH. Ma's tired. She's been sitting up with me most of the night.

ROBERT. (mockingly) Is she waiting for Andy, too? (There is a pause. ROBERT sighs) I couldn't get to sleep to save my soul. I counted ten million sheep if I counted one. No use! I gave up trying finally and just laid there in the dark thinking. (He pauses, then continues in a tone of tender sympathy) I was thinking about you, Ruth---of how hard these last years must have been for you. (Appealingly) I'm sorry, Ruth.

RUTH. (in a dead voice) I don't know. They're past now. They were hard on all of us.

ROBERT. Yes; on all of us but Andy. (With a flash of sick jealousy) Andy's made a big success of himself---the kind he wanted. (Mockingly) And now he's coming home to let us admire his greatness. (Frowning---irritably) What am I talking about? My brain must be sick, too. (After a pause) Yes, these years have been terrible for both of us. (His voice is lowered to a trembling whisper) Especially the last eight months since Mary---died. (He forces back a sob with a convulsive shudder---then breaks out in a passionate agony) Our last hope of happiness! I could curse God from the bottom of my soul---if there was a God! (He is racked by a violent fit of coughing and hurriedly puts his handkerchief to his lips).

RUTH. (without looking at him) Mary's better off---being dead.

ROBERT. (gloomily) We'd all be better off for that matter. (With a sudden exasperation) You tell that mother of yours she's got to stop saying that Mary's death was due to a weak constitution inherited from me. (On the verge of tears of weakness) It's got to stop, I tell you!

RUTH. (sharply) S-h-h! You'll wake her; and then she'll nag at me---not you.

ROBERT. (coughs and lies back in his chair weakly---a pause) It's all because your mother's down on me for not begging Andy for help.

RUTH. (resentfully) You might have. He's got plenty.

ROBERT. How can you of all people think of taking money from him?

RUTH. (dully) I don't see the harm. He's your own brother.

ROBERT. (shrugging his shoulders) What's the use of talking to you? Well, I couldn't. (Proudly) And I've managed to keep things going, thank God. You can't deny that without help I've succeeded in------ (He breaks off with a bitter laugh) My God, what am I boasting of? Debts to this one and that, taxes, interest unpaid! I'm a fool! (He lies back in his chair closing his eyes for a moment, then speaks in a low voice) I'll be frank, Ruth. I've been an utter failure, and I've dragged you with me. I couldn't blame you in all justice---for hating me.

RUTH. (without feeling) I don't hate you. It's been my fault too, I s'pose.

ROBERT. No. You couldn't help loving---Andy.

RUTH. (dully) I don't love anyone.

ROBERT. (waving her remark aside) You needn't deny it. It doesn't matter. (After a pause---with a tender smile) Do you know Ruth, what I've been dreaming back there in the dark? (With a short laugh) I was planning our future when I get well. (He looks at her with appealing eyes as if afraid she will sneer at him. Her expression does not change. She stares at the stove. His voice takes on a note of eagerness) After all, why shouldn't we have a future? We're young yet. If we can only shake off the curse of this farm! It's the farm that's ruined our lives, damn it! And now that Andy's coming back---I'm going to sink my foolish pride, Ruth! I'll borrow the money from him to give us a good start in the city. We'll go where people live instead of stagnating, and start all over again. (Confidently) I won't be the failure there that I've been here, Ruth. You won't need to be ashamed of me there. I'll prove to you the reading I've done can be put to some use. (Vaguely) I'll write, or something of that sort. I've always wanted to write. (Pleadingly) You'll want to do that, won't you, Ruth?

RUTH. (dully) There's Ma.

ROBERT. She can come with us.

RUTH. She wouldn't.

ROBERT. (angrily) So that's your answer! (He trembles with violent passion. His voice is so strange that RUTH turns to look at him in alarm) You're lying, Ruth! Your mother's just an excuse. You want to stay here. You think that because Andy's coming back that------ (He chokes and has an attack of coughing).

RUTH. (getting up---in a frightened voice) What's the matter? (She goes to him) I'll go with you, Rob. Stop that coughing for goodness' sake! It's awful bad for you. (She soothes him in dull tones) I'll go with you to the city---soon's you're well again. Honest I will, Rob, I promise! (ROB lies back and closes his eyes. She stands looking down at him anxiously) Do you feel better now?

ROBERT. Yes. (RUTH goes back to her chair. After a pause he opens his eyes and sits up in his chair. His face is flushed and happy) Then you will go, Ruth?

RUTH. Yes.

ROBERT. (excitedly) We'll make a new start, Ruth---just you and I. Life owes us some happiness after what we've been through. (Vehemently) It must! Otherwise our suffering would be meaningless---and that is unthinkable.

RUTH. (worried by his excitement) Yes, yes, of course, Rob, but you mustn't------

ROBERT. Oh, don't be afraid. I feel completely well, really I do---now that I can hope again. Oh if you knew how glorious it feels to have something to look forward to! Can't you feel the thrill of it, too---the vision of a new life opening up after all the horrible years?

RUTH. Yes, yes, but do be------

ROBERT. Nonsense! I won't be careful. I'm getting back all my strength. (He gets lightly to his feet) See! I feel light as a feather. (He walks to her chair and bends down to kiss her smilingly) One kiss---the first in years, isn't it?---to greet the dawn of a new life together.

RUTH. (submitting to his kiss---worriedly) Sit down, Rob, for goodness' sake!

ROBERT. (with tender obstinacy---stroking her hair) I won't sit down. You're silly to worry. (He rests one hand on the back of her chair) Listen. All our suffering has been a test through which we had to pass to prove ourselves worthy of a finer realization. (Exultingly) And we did pass through it! It hasn't broken us! And now the dream is to come true! Don't you see?

RUTH. (looking at him with frightened eyes as if she thought he had gone mad) Yes, Rob, I see; but won't you go back to bed now and rest?

ROBERT. No. I'm going to see the sun rise. It's an augury of good fortune.