It’s a free beginning-the start of my voyage! I’ve won to my trip. Don’t you see I’m happy at last-free-free!-freed from the farm-free to wander on and on-eternally! (He raises himself on his elbow, his face radiant, and points to the horizon) Look! Isn’t it beautiful beyond the hills? I can hear the old voices calling me to come-(Exultantly) And this time I’m going! It isn’t the end. ROBERT (in a voice which is suddenly ringing with the happiness of hope): You mustn’t feel sorry for me. It’s too late-for this life-but-(He has a fit of coughing which racks his body.)ĪNDREW (with a hoarse sob): Rob! (He clenches his fists in an impotent rage against Fate) God! God (RUTH sobs brokenly and wipes ROBERT’S lips with her handkerchief.) (With an ironical smile) The doctor told me to go to the far-off places-and I’d be cured. (There is a pause during which he breathes heavily, straining his eyes toward the horizon) The sun comes so slowly. So I thought I’d try to end as I might have-if I’d had the courage-alone-in a ditch by the open road-watching the sun rise.ĪNDREW: Rob! Don’t talk. It seemed as if all my life-I’d been cooped in a room.
ROBERT moves his head restlessly on RUTH’S lap) I couldn’t stand it back there in the room. ANDREW stands looking down at him helplessly.
RUTH sinks down beside him with a sob and pillows his head on her lap.