Then, with rather icy politeness:)_
I am much obliged to you; and I wish you a good evening.
(_A little crestfallen, but with quiet self possession, the man accepts
the termination of the interview_.)
MAN. Good evening, sir. (_He moves to the door_.)
PARNELL. Stop!
(_The man turns as the other goes towards him, and they meet face to
face_.)
You haven't given yourself a very good character, coming here, my man; but
you might have done worse. Anyway, you've washed your hands of it now.
Don't do things like that again.
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.
(_Watching him, she sees him smile_.)
KATHARINE (_rather tremulously_). Are you glad--that you didn't have
it?
PARNELL. And use it? Yes: I am--glad!
KATHARINE (_throwing herself into his arms_).
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