MICH. No, no, you are forgetting. I must see a little smile before you go. Look, Andrew. (_ANDREW turns round._) For your father's sake. When you have gone you will like him to remember that the last time he saw your face it wore a smile. That's brave! Good-bye! Good-bye! (_ROSE with great effort forces a smile and goes off with the Sister. A moment or two later she is seen to pass the window sobbing in the Sister's arms._) ANDR. Look! Oh, sir, was it bound to be in public, before everybody who knew her? MICH. Believe me, Andrew, if my own sister, if my own child had been in your daughter's place, I would have counselled her to act as your daughter has done. ANDR. She'll never hold up her head again. MICH. Would you rather that she held up her head in deceit and defiance, or that she held it down in grief and penitence? Think what you and she have endured this last year, the deceit, the agony, the shame, the guilt! ANDR. I can't think of anything except her standing up in the church. I shall never forget it. MICH. Tell me you know I would willingly have spared you and her if it had been possible. ANDR. Then it wasn't possible? MICH. I have done to you this morning as I would wish to be done by if I had followed a course of continued deception. ANDR. Ah, sir, it's easy for you to talk. You aren't likely to be tempted, so you aren't likely to fall. MICH. I trust not! I pray God to keep me. But if ever I did, I should think him my true friend who made me confess and rid my soul of my guilt. And you think me your true friend, don't you, Andrew? (_Holding out hand._) Won't you shake hands with me? (_ANDREW takes MICHAEL'S hand reluctantly, shakes it half-heartedly; is going off at door._) MICH. (_calls_). Andrew, it will be very lonely in your own house now your daughter has gone. Come and live with me here. There is the large visitors' room. Take it for your own, and make this your home. You will be nearer to our work, and you will be nearer to me, my friend. _MARK enters._ MARK (_at door_). Am I interrupting? MICH. No. Come in. My little talk with Andrew is finished. (_To ANDREW._) Say you know I have done what is right and best for you and her. ANDR. You've done what you thought was best for us, sir. I've never doubted that. I can't see anything straight or clear this morning. (_Exit._) MARK. You've had a painful business here? MICH. Terrible! But I was bound to go through with it. The whole village was talking of it. I believed in her innocence and defended her to the last. So when the truth came out I daren't hush it up. I should have been accused of hiding sin in my own household. But that poor child! My heart bled for her! Don't let us speak any more of it. Tell me about yourself and the work in London. MARK. You must come and join us there. (_MICHAEL shakes his head._)