ANDREW. I heard everything you said; and here’s wishing you every happiness, you and Ruth. You both deserve the best there is.
ROBERT. (taking his hand) Thanks, Andy, it’s fine of you to—— (His voice dies away as he sees the pain in ANDREW’S eyes).
ANDREW. (giving his brother’s hand a final grip) Good luck to you both! (He turns away and goes back to the rear where he bends over the lantern, fumbling with it to hide his emotion from the others).
MRS. MAYO. (to the CAPTAIN, who has been too flabbergasted by ROBERT’S decision to say a word) What’s the matter, Dick? Aren’t you going to congratulate Robbie?
SCOTT. (embarrassed) Of course I be! (He gets to his feet and shakes ROBERT’S hand, muttering a vague) Luck to you, boy. (He stands beside ROBERT as if he wanted to say something more but doesn’t know how to go about it).
ROBERT. Thanks, Uncle Dick.
SCOTT. So you’re not acomin’ on the Sunda with me? (His voice indicates disbelief).
ROBERT. I can’t, Uncle—not now. I wouldn’t miss it for anything else in the world under any other circumstances. (He sighs unconsciously) But you see I’ve found—a bigger dream. (Then with joyous high spirits) I want you all to understand one thing—I’m not going to be a loafer on your hands any longer. This means the beginning of a new life for me in every way. I’m going to settle right down and take a real interest in the farm, and do my share. I’ll prove to you, Pa, that I’m as good a Mayo as you are—or Andy, when I want to be.
MAYO. (kindly but skeptically) That’s the right spirit, Robert. Ain’t none of us doubts your willin’ness, but you ain’t never learned——
ROBERT. Then I’m going to start learning right away, and you’ll teach me, won’t you?