Ruth monologue (Act 3) — Beyond the Horizon

(_pointing to the door in the rear_) Don’t talk so loud. Let him sleep if he can. (_She gets wearily from the chair and puts a few pieces of wood in the stove_) This is the last of the wood. I don’t know who’ll cut more now that Jake’s left. (_She sighs and walks to the window in the rear, left, pulls the curtains aside, and looks out_) It’s getting gray out. (_She comes back to the stove_) Looks like it’d be a nice day. (_She stretches out her hands to warm them_) Must’ve been a heavy frost last night. We’re paying for the spell of warm weather we’ve been having. (_The throbbing whine of a motor sounds from the distance outside_).