to talk to you, and I’m going to. [With a grim smile.] A dying man has some rights, hasn’t he?
Andrew—[With a shudder.] Don’t talk that way, for God’s sake! I’ll only let you sit down if you’ll promise that. Remember. [He helps Rob to the chair between his own and Ruth’s.] Easy now! There you are! Wait, and I’ll get a pillow for you. [He goes into the bedroom. Robert looks at Ruth who shrinks away from him in terror. Robert smiles bitterly. Andrew comes back with the pillow which he places behind Robert’s back.] How’s that?
Robert—[With an affectionate smile.] Fine! Thank you! [As Andrew sits down.] Listen, Andy, you’ve asked me not to talk—and I won’t after I’ve made my position clear. [Slowly.] In the first place I know I’m dying. [Ruth bows her head and covers her face with her hands. She remains like this all during the scene between the two brothers.]
Andrew—Rob! That isn’t so!
Robert—[Wearily.] It is so! Don’t lie to me. It’s useless and it irritates me. After Ruth put me to bed before you came, I saw it clearly for the first time. [Bitterly.] I’d been making plans for our future—Ruth’s and mine—so it came hard at first—the realization. Then when the doctor examined me, I knew—although he tried to lie about it. And then to make sure I listened at the door to what he told you. So, for my sake, don’t mock me with fairy tales about Arizona, or any such rot as that. Because I’m dying is no reason you should treat me as an imbecile or a
