you thinking of? What’s in your evil mind, you—you——— [His voice is a harsh shout.]
Ruth—[In a defiant scream.] Yes I do mean it! I’d say it if you was to kill me! I do love Andy. I do! I do! I always loved him. [Exultantly.] And he loves me! He loves me! I know he does. He always did! And you know he did, too! So go! Go if you want to!
Robert—[Throwing her away from him. She staggers back against the table—thickly.] You—you slut! [He stands glaring at her as she leans back, supporting herself by the table, gasping for breath. A loud frightened whimper sounds from the awakened child in the bedroom. It continues. The man and woman stand looking at one another in horror, the extent of their terrible quarrel suddenly brought home to them. A pause. The noise of a horse and carriage comes from the road before the house. The two, suddenly struck by the same premonition, listen to it breathlessly, as to a sound heard in a dream. It stops. They hear Andy’s voice from the road shouting a long hail—“Ahoy there!”]
Ruth—[With a strangled cry of joy.] Andy! Andy! [She rushes and grabs the knob of the screen door, about to fling it open.]
Robert—[In a voice of command that forces obedience.] Stop! [He goes to the door and gently pushes the trembling Ruth away from it. The child’s crying rises to a louder pitch.] I’ll meet Andy. You better go in to Mary, Ruth. [She looks at him de-
