Andrew—[Confuted—looking everywhere except at Robert—trying to appear unconcerned.] Yes, Pa did say she was staying too. Well, I better hustle, I guess, and——— [He steps over the ditch to the road while he is talking.]
Robert—[Who appears to be fighting some strong inward emotion—impulsively.] Wait a minute, Andy! [He jumps down from the fence.] There is something I want to——— [He stops abruptly, biting his lips, his face coloring.]
Andrew—[Facing him; half-defiantly.] Yes?
Robert—[Confusedly.] No——— never mind——— it doesn’t matter, it was nothing.
Andrew—[After a pause, during which he stares fixedly at Robert’s averted face.] Maybe I can guess——— what you were going to say——— but I guess you’re right not to talk about it. [He pulls Robert’s hand from his side and grips it tensely; the two brothers stand looking into each other’s eyes for a minute.] We can’t help those things, Rob. [He turns away, suddenly releasing Robert’s hand.] You’ll be coming along shortly, won’t you?
Robert—[Dully.] Yes.
Andrew—See you later, then. [He walks off down the road to the left. Robert stares after him for a moment; then climbs to the fence rail again, and looks out over the hills, an expression of deep grief on his face. After a moment or so, Ruth enters hurriedly from the left. She is a healthy, blonde, out-of-door girl of twenty, with a graceful, slender figure. Her
