PETER. [Calling after WILLIAM.] You're a good boy, William. [WILLIAM goes to his room.
CATHERINE. [After a slight pause—simply.] Frederik, you've heard from Annamarie…. [Gestures towards the desk. FREDERIK sees the photograph and is silent.] You've had a letter from her. You tried to destroy it. Why did you tell Marta that you'd had no message—no news? You went to see her, too. Why did you tell me that you'd never seen her since she went away? Why did you lie to me? Why do you hate that child?
FREDERIK. Are you going to believe what that boy—
CATHERINE. I'm going to find out. I'm going to find out where she is, before I marry you. That child may be right or wrong; but I'm going to know what his mother was to you. I want the truth.
DR. MACPHERSON. [Who has been in thought—now looking up.] We've heard the truth. We had that message from Peter Grimm himself.
CATHERINE. Yes, it is true. I believe Uncle Peter Grimm was in this room to-night.
FREDERIK. [Not surprised—glancing towards the spot where PETER stood when he thought he saw him.] Oh! You, too? Did you see him, too?
MRS. BATHOLOMMEY. [Incredulously.] Impossible!
CATHERINE. I don't care what anyone else may think—people have the right to think for themselves; but I believe he has been here—he is here. Uncle Peter, if you can hear me now, give me back my promise—or—or I'll take it back!
PETER. [Gently—smilingly—relieved.] I did give it back to you, my dear; but what a time I have had getting it across!