now—when it’s all past and gone—and dead. You were the one I really loved—only I didn’t come to the knowledge of it ’til too late.
Andrew—[Stunned.] Ruth! Do you know what you’re saying?
Ruth—It was true—then. [With sudden fierceness.] How could I help it? No woman could.
Andrew—Then—you loved me—that time I came home?
Ruth—Yes.
Andrew—But—couldn’t you see—I didn’t love you—that way?
Ruth—[Doggedly.] Yes—I saw then; but I’d known your real reason for leaving home the first time—everybody knew it—and for three years I’d been thinking———
Andrew—That I loved you?
Ruth—Yes. Then that day on the hill you laughed about what a fool you’d been for loving me once—and I knew it was all over.
Andrew—Good God, but I never thought——— [He stops, shuddering at his remembrance.] And did Rob———
Ruth—That was what I’d started to tell. We’d had a fight just before you came and I got crazy mad—and I told him all I’ve told you.
Andrew—[Gaping at her speechlessly for a moment.] You told Rob—you loved me?
Ruth—Yes.
Andrew—[Shrinking away from her in horror.]
