MRS. ATKINS. (triumphantly) It was God’s punishment on James Mayo for the blasphemin’ and denyin’ of God he done all his sinful life! (MRS. MAYO begins to weep softly) There, Kate, I shouldn’t be remindin’ you, I know. He’s at peace, poor man, and forgiven, let’s pray.
MRS. MAYO. (wiping her eyes—simply) James was a good man.
MRS. ATKINS. (ignoring this remark) What I was sayin’ was that since Robert’s been in charge things’ve been goin’ down hill steady. You don’t know how bad they are. Robert don’t let on to you what’s happenin’; and you’d never see it yourself if ’twas under your nose. But, thank the Lord, Ruth still comes to me once in a while for advice when she’s worried near out of her senses by his goin’s-on. Do you know what she told me last night? But I forgot, she said not to tell you—still I think you’ve got a right to know, and it’s my duty not to let such things go on behind your back.
MRS. MAYO. (wearily) You can tell me if you want to.
MRS. ATKINS. (bending over toward her—in a low voice) Ruth was almost crazy about it. Robert told her he’d have to mortgage the farm—said he didn’t know how he’d pull through ’til harvest without it, and he can’t get money any other way. (She straightens up—indignantly) Now what do you think of your Robert?
MRS. MAYO. (resignedly) If it has to be——
MRS. ATKINS. You don’t mean to say you’re goin’ to sign away your farm, Kate Mayo—after me warnin’ you?
MRS. MAYO.—I’ll do what Robbie says is needful.
MRS. ATKINS. (holding up her hands) Well, of all the foolishness!—— well, it’s your farm, not mine, and I’ve nothin’ more to say.
MRS. MAYO. Maybe Robbie’ll manage till Andy gets back and sees to things. It can’t be long now.