ROBERT. (opening it) New York. “Just landed from steamer. Have important business to wind up here. Will be home as soon as deal is completed.” (He smiles bitterly) Business first was always Andy’s motto (He reads) “Hope you are all well. Andy.” (He repeats ironically) “Hope you are all well!”
RUTH. (dully) He couldn’t know you’d been took sick till I answered that and told him.
ROBERT. (contritely) Of course he couldn’t. I’m a fool. I’m touchy about nothing lately. Just what did you say in your reply?
RUTH. (inconsequentially) I had to send it collect.
ROBERT. (irritably) What did you say was the matter with me?
RUTH. I wrote you had lung trouble.
ROBERT. (flying into a petty temper) You are a fool! How often have I explained to you that it’s pleurisy is the matter with me. You can’t seem to get it in your head that the pleura is outside the lungs, not in them!
RUTH. (callously) I only wrote what Doctor Smith told me.
ROBERT. (angrily) He’s a damned ignoramus!
RUTH. (dully) Makes no difference. I had to tell Andy something, didn’t I?