ANDREW. (_protestingly_) You obstinate old son of a gun!
ROBERT. Oh, everything’ll be on a sound footing after harvest. Don’t worry about it.
ANDREW. (_doubtfully_) Maybe. (_After a pause_) It’s too bad Pa couldn’t have lived to see things through. (_With feeling_) It cut me up a lot--hearing he was dead. He never--softened up, did he--about me, I mean?
ROBERT. He never understood, that’s a kinder way of putting it. He does now.
ANDREW. (_after a pause_) You’ve forgotten all about what--caused me to go, haven’t you, Rob? (ROBERT _nods but keeps his face averted_) I was a slushier damn fool in those days than you were. But it was an act of Providence I did go. It opened my eyes to how I’d been fooling myself. Why, I’d forgotten all about--that--before I’d been at sea six months.
ROBERT. (_turns and looks into_ ANDREW’S _eyes searchingly_) You’re speaking of--Ruth?
ANDREW. (_confused_) Yes. I didn’t want you to get false notions in your head, or I wouldn’t say anything. (_Looking_ ROBERT _squarely in the eyes_) I’m telling you the truth when I say I’d forgotten long ago. It don’t sound well for me, getting over things so easy, but I guess it never really amounted to more than a kid idea I was letting rule me. I’m certain now I never was in love--I was getting fun out of thinking I was--and being a hero to myself. (_He heaves a great sigh of relief_) There! Gosh, I’m glad that’s off my chest. I’ve been feeling sort of awkward ever since I’ve been home, thinking of what you two might think. (_A trace of appeal in his voice_) You’ve got it all straight now, haven’t you, Rob?
ANDREW. And I’ll tell Ruth, too, if I can get up the nerve. She must feel kind of funny having me round--after what used to be--and not knowing how I feel about it.
ROBERT. (_slowly_) Perhaps--for her sake--you’d better not tell her.
ANDREW. For her sake? Oh, you mean she wouldn’t want to be reminded of my foolishness? Still, I think it’d be worse if----
ROBERT. (_breaking out--in an agonized voice_) Do as you please, Andy; but for God’s sake, let’s not talk about it! (_There is a pause._ ANDREW _stares at_ ROBERT _in hurt stupefaction._ ROBERT _continues after a moment in a voice which he vainly attempts to keep calm_) Excuse me, Andy. This rotten headache has my nerves shot to pieces.
