ANDR. You’ve done what you thought was best for us, sir. I’ve never doubted that. I can’t see anything straight or clear this morning.
(Exit.)
MARK. You’ve had a painful business here?
MICH. Terrible! But I was bound to go through with it. The whole village was talking of it. I believed in her innocence and defended her to the last. So when the truth came out I daren’t hush it up. I should have been accused of hiding sin in my own household. But that poor child! My heart bled for her! Don’t let us speak any more of it. Tell me about yourself and the work in London.
MARK. You must come and join us there.
(MICHAEL shakes his head.)
MICH. I couldn’t live there. Every time I go up for a day or two I come back more and more sickened and frightened and disheartened. Besides, you forget my Eastern studies. They are my real work. I couldn’t pursue them in the hurry and fever of London.
MARK. How are you getting on with the Arabic translations?
MICH. Slowly but surely. Andrew is invaluable to me. In spite of his bringing up, he has the true instincts of the scholar.
MARK. Well, you know best. But we want you in London. You’d soon raise the funds for restoring the Minster.