ROBERT. No. I’m going to see the sun rise. It’s an augury of good fortune. (_He goes quickly to the window in the rear left, and pushing the curtains aside, stands looking out._ RUTH _springs to her feet and comes quickly to the table, left, where she remains watching_ ROBERT _in a tense, expectant attitude. As he peers out his body seems gradually to sag, to grow limp and tired. His voice is mournful as he speaks_) No sun yet. It isn’t time. All I can see is the black rim of the damned hills outlined against a creeping grayness. (_He turns around; letting the curtains fall back, stretching a hand out to the wall to support himself. His false strength of a moment has evaporated, leaving his face drawn and hollow-eyed. He makes a pitiful attempt to smile_) That’s not a very happy augury, is it? But the sun’ll come--soon. (_He sways weakly_).
RUTH. (_hurrying to his side and supporting him_) Please go to bed, won’t you, Rob? You don’t want to be all wore out when the specialist comes, do you?
ROBERT. (_quickly_) No. That’s right. He mustn’t think I’m sicker than I am. And I feel as if I could sleep now--(_Cheerfully_)--a good, sound, restful sleep.
RUTH. (_helping him to the bedroom door_) That’s what you need most. (_They go inside. A moment later she reappears calling back_) I’ll shut this door so’s you’ll be quiet. (_She closes the door and goes quickly to her mother and shakes her by the shoulder_) Ma! Ma! Wake up!
MRS. ATKINS. (_coming out of her sleep with a start_) Glory be! What’s the matter with you?
RUTH. It was Rob. He’s just been talking to me out here. I put him back to bed. (_Now that she is sure her mother is awake her fear passes and she relapses into dull indifference. She sits down in her chair and stares at the stove--dully_) He acted--funny; and his eyes looked so--so wild like.
MRS. ATKINS. (_with asperity_) And is that all you woke me out of a sound sleep for, and scared me near out of my wits?
RUTH. I was afraid. He talked so crazy. I couldn’t quiet him. I didn’t want to be alone with him that way. Lord knows what he might do.
MRS. ATKINS. (_scornfully_) Humph! A help I’d be to you and me not able to move a step! Why didn’t you run and get Jake?
RUTH. (_dully_) Jake isn’t here. He quit last night. He hasn’t been paid in three months.