RUTH (as he comes). Are you there, Martin?
MARTIN. I am here.
RUTH (rising, nervously). I had begun to fear you would not come.
MARTIN. I know I'm late. To-night I'd work to do, for once in my useless life.
RUTH. Don't be bitter, Martin.
MARTIN. The bitterness is past. My work is done, well done. I came when I was free to come, Mrs. Barlow. Ruth. Is it to be names like that between us two? Martin. I don't know what there is between us two, save that I got a message from your mother to meet you here.
RUTH. I chose this place because we used to meet here often.
MARTIN. In happier days.
RUTH. I chose it to remind you of them.
MARTIN (bitterly). I don't need to be reminded. I'm striving to forget. I want to kill their memory and I can't.