Ruth leaned into her father after hesitating but a moment. "I'm so sorry, Da. Ma... I made right a fool of meself. It wasn't fair of me ta run off like that... a twit is what I am. But he said the right things and he made it all sound so romantic. I thought he loved me, I truly did... He was nothing but a no-good swine." She pulled away only to swipe angrily at her tears. "Cookin' and cleaning while he was out sowin' his oats like some randy buck. I carried his bairn until burstin' and he left me all alone ta do it. It ain't fair of me to bring this child into this world like this."