OLLIVANT. Your mother working herself sick for you, and you took it?
EMILY. I told you I've never been so happy.
MARY. [Simply.] I couldn't bargain with what I felt. I had to study. I'd have taken anything, gotten it anywhere. I had to live. You didn't help me. Ben and I both went against your will, but you helped him because he was your son. I was only your daughter.
[Ollivant eyes her and seems to be struggling with himself. He is silent a long while as they both watch him. Finally, after several efforts he speaks with emotion.]
OLLIVANT. Mary, I—I didn't realize how much you meant to me till—till I thought of what might have happened to you without my help. Would—would you have stayed on in the city if—if your mother hadn't helped you?
MARY. [Firmly.] Yes, father; I would have stayed on.
OLLIVANT. [After a pause.] Then I guess what you feel is stronger than all your mother and I tried to teach you.... Are you too proud to take help from me—now?
MARY. [Simply.] No, father; till I succeed. Then I'll pay you back like Ben promised.
OLLIVANT. [Hurt.] You don't think it was the money, daughter? It would have cost to keep you here. It wasn't that.
MARY. No; it was your father speaking and his father and his father. [Looking away wistfully.] And perhaps I was speaking for those before me who were silent or couldn't be heard.