PETER. [Confronting FREDERIK.] Now, sir, I have something to say to you, Frederik Grimm, my beloved nephew!  I had to die to find you out; but I know you! [FREDERIK is reading a letter.] You sit there opening a dead man’s mail—­with the heart of a stone—­thinking:  “He’s gone! he’s gone!—­ so I’ll break every promise!” But there is something you have forgotten—­ something that always finds us out:  the law of reward and punishment.  Even now it is overtaking you.  Your hour has struck. [FREDERIK takes up another letter and begins to read it; then, as though disturbed by a passing thought, he puts it down.  As though perplexed by the condition of his own mind, he ponders, his eyes resting unconsciously on PETER.] Your hour has struck.

FREDERIK. [To himself.] What in the world is the matter with me to-night?

PETER.  Read!

FREDERIK. [Has opened a long, narrow, blue envelope containing a letter on blue paper and a small photograph.  He stares at the letter, aghast.] My God!  Here’s luck....  Here’s luck!  From that girl Annamarie to my uncle.  Oh, if he had read it!

PETER. [Standing in front of FREDERIK looks into space—­as though reading the letter in the air.] “Dear Mr. Grimm:  I have not written because I can’t do anything to help William, and I am ashamed.”

FREDERIK.  Wh! [As though he had read the first part to himself, now reads aloud.] “Don’t be too hard upon me....  I have gone hungry trying to save a few pennies for him, but I never could; and now I see that I cannot hope to have him back.  William 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....