ROBERT. (_in a voice which is suddenly ringing with the happiness of hope_) You mustn’t feel sorry for me. Don’t you see I’m happy at last--free--free!--freed from the farm--free to wander on and on--eternally! (_He raises himself on his elbow, his face radiant, and points to the horizon_) Look! Isn’t it beautiful beyond the hills? I can hear the old voices calling me to come---- (_Exultantly_) And this time I’m going! It isn’t the end. It’s a free beginning--the start of my voyage! I’ve won to my trip--the right of release--beyond the horizon! Oh, you ought to be glad--glad--for my sake! (_He collapses weakly_) Andy! (ANDREW _bends down to him_) Remember Ruth----
ANDREW. I’ll take care of her, I swear to you, Rob!
ROBERT. Ruth has suffered--remember, Andy--only through sacrifice--the secret beyond there---- (_He suddenly raises himself with his last remaining strength and points to the horizon where the edge of the sun’s disc is rising from the rim of the hills_) The sun! (_He remains with his eyes fixed on it for a moment. A rattling noise throbs from his throat. He mumbles_) Remember! (_And falls back and is still._ RUTH _gives a cry of horror and springs to her feet, shuddering, her hands over her eyes._ ANDREW _bends on one knee beside the body, placing a hand over_ ROBERT’S _heart, then he kisses his brother reverentially on the forehead and stands up_).
ANDREW. (_facing_ RUTH, _the body between them--in a dead voice_) He’s dead. (_With a sudden burst of fury_) God damn you, you never told him!
RUTH. (_piteously_) He was so happy without my lying to him.
ANDREW. (_pointing to the body--trembling with the violence of his rage_) This is your doing, you damn woman, you coward, you murderess!
RUTH. (_sobbing_) Don’t, Andy! I couldn’t help it--and he knew how I’d suffered, too. He told you--to remember.
ANDREW. (_stares at her for a moment, his rage ebbing away, an expression of deep pity gradually coming over his face. Then he glances down at his brother and speaks brokenly in a compassionate voice_) Forgive me, Ruth--for his sake--and I’ll remember---- (RUTH _lets her hands fall from her face and looks at him uncomprehendingly. He lifts his eyes to hers and forces out falteringly_) I--you--we’ve both made a mess of things! We must try to help each other--and--in time--we’ll come to know what’s right---- (_Desperately_) And perhaps we---- (_But_ RUTH, _if she is aware of his words, gives no sign. She remains silent, gazing at him dully with the sad humility of exhaustion, her mind already sinking back into that spent calm beyond the further troubling of any hope_).