MAN. No, sir.
(And as he stands hesitating, Parnell opens the door.)
Thank you, sir.
(The man goes. Parnell closes the door after him, comes meditatively across, and sits down. There is a long pause)
KATHARINE. What are you—thinking?
PARNELL. A year ago! … If he had come to me with that a year ago—what should I have done?
KATHARINE. You would have done just the same.
PARNELL. Torn it up? And put it in the fire?—I'm not so sure.
KATHARINE. But I am. Hadn't he the same right as I had, to live his own life?
PARNELL. My dear, I said "a year ago." That means before the case came on. That would have stopped it—for good…. If I had had it—I might have been tempted.