illiam is far better off with you. I--" [_Hesitates._

PETER. [_Going back of the desk, standing behind_ FREDERIK'S _chair._] Go
on....

FREDERIK. "I wish that I might see him once again. Perhaps I could come
and go in the night."

PETER. That's a terrible thing for a mother to write.

FREDERIK. [_Who has been looking down at the letter--suddenly feeling_
PETER'S _presence._] Who's that? Who's in this room? [_Looks over his
shoulder--then glances about._] I could have sworn somebody was looking
over my shoulder ... or had come in at the door ... or ... [_But seeing no
one--he continues._] "I met someone from home; ... if there is any truth
in the rumour of Catherine's marriage--it mustn't be, Mr. Grimm--it
mustn't be ... not to Frederik. For Frederik is my little boy's--"
[FREDERIK _gives a furtive glance upstairs at the door of the child's
room. Picks up the small picture which was in the envelope._] Her picture
... [_Turns it over--looks at the back--reads._] "For my boy, from
Annamarie." [FREDERIK, _conscious-stricken for the time being, bows his
head._

PETER. For the first time since I entered this house, you are yourself,
Frederik Grimm. Once more a spark of manhood is alight in your soul.
Courage! It's not too late to repent. Turn back, lad! Follow your impulse.
Take the little boy in your arms. Go down on your knees and ask his
mother's pardon. Turn over a fresh page, that I may leave this house in
peace....

FREDERIK. [_Looks about uneasily, then glances towards the door leading
into the hall._] Who is at the door? Curious ... I thought I heard someone
at ...

PETER. I am at the door--I, Peter Grimm! Annamarie is at the door--the
little girl who is ashamed to come home; the old mother in the kitchen
breaking her heart for some word. William is at the door--your own flesh
and blood--nameless; Katie, sobbing her heart out--you can hear her; all--
we are all at the door--every soul in this house. We are all at the door
of your conscience, Frederik.... Don't keep us waiting, my boy. It's very
hard to kill the love I had for you. I long to love you again--to take you
back to my heart--lies and all. [FREDERIK _rises--in deep thought._] Yes!
Call her! Tell her the truth. Give her back her promise.... Give her back
her home.... Close the door on a peaceful, happy, silent room and go.
Think--think of that moment when you give her back her freedom! Think of
her joy, her gratitude, her affection. It's worth living