Quite a stranger! Must be two years. D'you want to see me? I can give you a minute. Sit down! Family well?     

       RUTH. Yes. I'm not living where I was.     

       COKESON. [Eyeing her askance] I hope things are more comfortable at home.     

       RUTH. I couldn't stay with Honeywill, after all.     

       COKESON. You haven't done anything rash, I hope. I should be sorry if you'd done anything rash.     

       RUTH. I've kept the children with me.     

       COKESON. [Beginning to feel that things are not so jolly as ha had hoped]       Well, I'm glad to have seen you. You've not heard from the young man, I suppose, since he came out?     

       RUTH. Yes, I ran across him yesterday.     

       COKESON. I hope he's well.     

       RUTH. [With sudden fierceness] He can't get anything to do. It's dreadful to see him. He's just skin and bone.     

       COKESON. [With genuine concern] Dear me! I'm sorry to hear that. [On his guard again] Didn't they find him a place when his time was up?     

       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.     

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