OLLIVANT. [Complacently.] He'll have to support a family some day; I've had to keep that in mind.
MARY. I'd like to have a real talk with him.
OLLIVANT. When did his letter say he'd be coming for a visit, Emily?
EMILY. The fifteenth.
MARY. Not till then? That's too bad.
OLLIVANT. Eh?
MARY. [After exchanging a quick glance with her mother and gaining courage.] Father, I hope you didn't misunderstand my coming back?
OLLIVANT. Not at all. We all make mistakes—especially when we're young. Perhaps I was a bit hasty when you left home, but I knew you'd soon see I was right. I didn't think it would take you two years—but perhaps if I'd written you before you'd have come sooner. I told your mother I'd like to make it easy for you to come home.
MARY. Mother suggested that you write me?
OLLIVANT. Well, I suppose you might put it that way. I always felt she thought I was a bit hard on you, but I'm not one to back down easily.