SHEILA. I want you to stay. I do. And I’m so sorry about everything.
MARY. Oh! I must. Thank you—thank you. I must.
SHEILA. [To MRS. TIMBRELL.] Won’t you stop her?
MRS. TIMBRELL. I don’t know how.
TIMBRELL. Perhaps I may have a few words with this young woman. I think I am entitled to a few words. Now, I don’t wish to be harsh with you. Far from it. I had formed—I was forming a high opinion of your character—of some phases of it. I was prepared, as I think I have said, to accept you—to have overlooked the deplorable incident which—I will say no more about that. My son has been rather unfeeling, perhaps. I don’t defend him. He is anxious to make amends. I must remind you that at a time when—that I insisted on his making reparation. It was an unusual course. I conceived it to be my duty. Later I found it necessary in certain painful circumstances to impose what I may call an ordeal. It is over. I am willing to be lenient. I should propose, if your husband remains reasonably—what shall I say?—steady, to make your pecuniary position a much easier one. Now, my good girl, I hope we shall have no more of this nonsense. I can overlook a slip—an error due to—an error of—of youth, but not a deliberate infringement of—are you listening to what I say?
MARY. I beg your pardon, sir. I was thinking it was time I was off.
TIMBRELL. Oh! This is abominable.
MARY. It’s no good your talking, sir. I’ve made up my mind.
TIMBRELL. And does he—this person—this Truefit know the whole of the extraordinary circumstances?