WHITE. Neither has changed; but I'm going to act differently. I'm going to be part of it. Yes. I'm going to help direct the current.
HILDA. I can't believe what I am hearing. Is it you, William White, speaking? You who, for twenty years, have stood against all war!
WHITE. Yes.
HILDA. And now, when the test comes, you are going to lend yourself to it! You of all men!
WHITE. Hilda, dear; I didn't expect you to accept it easily; but
I think I can make you see if you will let me.
HILDA (poignantly). If I will let you! Why, Will, I must understand; I must.
WHITE. Perhaps it will be difficult at first—with your standards.
HILDA. But my standards were yours, Will. You gave them to me. You taught me. You took a young girl who loved you. You showed her the truth, and she followed you and has followed you gladly through hard years of struggle and poverty because of those ideals. And now you talk of my standards! Will, don't you see, I must understand?
WHITE. Dear, standards are relative things; they differ with circumstance.
HILDA. Have your ideals only been old clothes you change to suit the weather?