Robert—A healthy animal like you, you brute, can hardly understand what I went through—althrough you saw it. You remember—sick one day, and well the next—always weak—never able to last through a whole term at school ’til I was years behind everyone my age—not able to get in any games—it was hell! These last few years of comparative health have been heaven to me.
Andrew—I know; they must have been. [After a pause.] You should have gone back to college last fall, like I know you wanted to. You’re fitted for that sort of thing—just as I ain’t.
Robert—You know why I didn’t go back, Andy. Pa didn’t like the idea, even if he didn’t say so; and I know he wanted the money to use improving the farm. And besides, I had pretty much all I cared for in that one year. I’m not keen on being a student, just because you see me reading books all the time. What I want to do now is keep on moving so that I won’t take root in any one place.
Andrew—Well, the trip you’re leaving on tomorrow will keep you moving all right. [At this mention of the trip they both fall silent. There is a pause. Finally Andrew goes on, awkwardly attempting to speak casually.] Uncle says you’ll be gone three years.
Robert—About that, he figures.
Andrew—[Moodily.] That’s a long time.
Robert—Not so long when you come to consider it. You know the Sunda sails around the Horn for
