RUTH. He was only there three weeks. It got out.
COKESON. I'm sure I don't know what I can do for you. I don't like to be snubby.
RUTH. I can't bear his being like that.
COKESON. [Scanning her not unprosperous figure] I know his relations aren't very forthy about him. Perhaps you can do something for him, till he finds his feet.
RUTH. Not now. I could have—but not now.
COKESON. I don't understand.
RUTH. [Proudly] I've seen him again—that's all over.
COKESON. [Staring at her—disturbed] I'm a family man—I don't want to hear anything unpleasant. Excuse me—I'm very busy.
RUTH. I'd have gone home to my people in the country long ago, but they've never got over me marrying Honeywill. I never was waywise, Mr. Cokeson, but I'm proud. I was only a girl, you see, when I married him. I thought the world of him, of course . . . he used to come travelling to our farm.
COKESON. [Regretfully] I did hope you'd have got on better, after you saw me.