MRS. ATKINS. (with a snort) What’d Rob think you and him was livin’ on, I’d like to know?
RUTH. (dully) He didn’t think about it, I s’pose. (After a slight pause) He said he’d made up his mind to ask Andy for help when he comes. (As a clock in the kitchen strikes six) Six o’clock. Andy ought to get here directly.
MRS. ATKINS. D’you think this special doctor’ll do Rob any good?
RUTH. (hopelessly) I don’t know. (The two women remain silent for a time staring dejectedly at the stove).
MRS. ATKINS. (shivering irritably) For goodness’ sake put some wood on that fire. I’m most freezin’!
RUTH. (pointing to the door in the rear) Don’t talk so loud. Let him sleep if he can. (She gets wearily from the chair and puts a few pieces of wood in the stove) This is the last of the wood. I don’t know who’ll cut more now that Jake’s left. (She sighs and walks to the window in the rear, left, pulls the curtains aside, and looks out) It’s getting gray out. (She comes back to the stove) Looks like it’d be a nice day. (She stretches out her hands to warm them) Must’ve been a heavy frost last night. We’re paying for the spell of warm weather we’ve been having. (The throbbing whine of a motor sounds from the distance outside).
MRS. ATKINS. (sharply) S-h-h! Listen! Ain’t that an auto I hear?
RUTH. (without interest) Yes. It’s Andy, I s’pose.
MRS. ATKINS. (with nervous irritation) Don’t sit there like a silly goose. Look at the state of this room! What’ll this strange doctor think of us? Look at that lamp chimney all smoke! Gracious sakes, Ruth——
RUTH. (indifferently) I’ve got a lamp all cleaned up in the kitchen.