Page:Beyond the Horizon (1920).djvu/91

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—[Putting her hands over her ears—in exasperation.] For goodness sakes, Ma!

—[Dully.] Never mind. Andy’ll fix everything when he comes.

—[Hopefully.] Oh, yes, I know he will. He always did know just the right thing ought to be done. [With weary vexation.] It’s a shame for him to come home and have to start in with things in such a topsy-turvy.

—Andy’ll manage.

—[Sighing.] I s’pose it isn’t Rob’s fault things go wrong with him.

—[Scornfully.] Hump! [She fans herself nervously.] Land o’ Goshen, but it’s bakin’ in here! Let’s go out in under the trees in back where there’s a breath of fresh air. Come, Kate. [ gets up obediently and starts to wheel the invalid’s chair toward the screen door.] You better come too, Ruth. It’ll do you good. Learn him a lesson and let him get his own dinner. Don’t be such a fool.

—[Going and holding the screen door open for them—listlessly.] He wouldn’t mind. He tells me never to wait—but he wouldn’t know where to find anything.

—Let him go hungry then—and serve him right.

—He wouldn’t mind that, either. He doesn’t eat much. But I can’t go anyway. I’ve got to put baby to bed.