ANDREW. I’d like to take it. There may not be another ship for Buenos Aires with a vacancy in months. (His eyes roving from ROBERT to RUTH and back again—uncertainly) Still—damn it all—tomorrow morning is soon. I wish she wasn’t leaving for a week or so. That’d give me a chance—it seems hard to go right away again when I’ve just got home. And yet it’s a chance in a thousand—— (Appealing to ROBERT) What do you think, Rob? What would you do?
ROBERT. (forcing a smile) He who hesitates, you know. (Frowning) It’s a piece of good luck thrown in your way—and—I think you owe it to yourself to jump at it. But don’t ask me to decide for you.
RUTH. (turning to look at ANDREW—in a tone of fierce resentment) Yes, go, Andy! (She turns quickly away again. There is a moment of embarrassed silence).
ANDREW. (thoughtfully) Yes, I guess I will. It’ll be the best thing for all of us in the end, don’t you think so, Rob? (ROBERT nods but remains silent).
SCOTT. (getting to his feet) Then, that’s settled.
ANDREW. (now that he has definitely made a decision his voice rings with hopeful strength and energy) Yes, I’ll take the berth. The sooner I go the sooner I’ll be back, that’s a certainty; and I won’t come back with empty hands next time. You bet I won’t!
SCOTT. You ain’t got so much time, Andy. To make sure you’d best leave here soon’s you kin. I got to get right back aboard. You’d best come with me.
ANDREW. I’ll go to the house and repack my bag right away.
ROBERT. (quietly) You’ll both be here for dinner, won’t you?
ANDREW. (worriedly) I don’t know. Will there be time? What time is it now, I wonder?