MARY. (taking his hand and dancing happily beside him) Dada! Dada! (They go down the hill to the left. RUTH looks after them for a moment, frowning—then turns to ANDY with a smile) I’m going to sit down. Come on, Andy. It’ll be like old times. (She jumps lightly to the top of the rock and sits down) It’s so fine and cool up here after the house.
ANDREW. (half-sitting on the side of the boulder) Yes. It’s great.
RUTH. I’ve taken a holiday in honor of your arrival. (Laughing excitedly) I feel so free I’d like to have wings and fly over the sea. You’re a man. You can’t know how awful and stupid it is—cooking and washing dishes all the time.
ANDREW. (making a wry face) I can guess.
RUTH. Besides, your mother just insisted on getting your first dinner to home, she’s that happy at having you back. You’d think I was planning to poison you the flurried way she shooed me out of the kitchen.
ANDREW. That’s just like Ma, bless her!
RUTH. She’s missed you terrible. We all have. And you can’t deny the farm has, after what I showed you and told you when we was looking over the place this morning.
ANDREW. (with a frown) Things are run down, that’s a fact! It’s too darn hard on poor old Rob.
RUTH. (scornfully) It’s his own fault. He never takes any interest in things.
ANDREW. (reprovingly) You can’t blame him. He wasn’t born for it; but I know he’s done his best for your sake and the old folks and the little girl.