]
He has to bear a name that will be a by-word of disgrace, and it is my
duty to help him bear it, to help him make it honorable again; to
inspire him in the struggle that lies before him to rise above it by his
own efforts, to make a career for himself; to make the world forget the
disgrace of his father in his own triumphs--in the product of his own
work--
PIKE [aghast]. Work!
ETHEL. Oh, I am all American to-day. No matter how humbly he begins, it
will be a beginning, and no matter what it costs me I must be by his
side helping him, with all my energy and strength. Can you challenge
that? Isn't it true?
PIKE. I can't deny it--that's what any good and brave woman ought to
feel.
ETHEL. And since it has to be done, it must be done at once. I haven't
seen Almeric since last night; I must see him now.
PIKE [grimly]. He's not here just now.
[HORACE enters; stands in the doorway unobserved, listening.]
ETHEL. I've shirked facing him to-day. He has always been so light and
gay, I have dreaded to see him bending under this blow, shamed and
overcome. Now it is my duty to see him, to show him how he can hold up
his head in spite of it!
PIKE. I agree, it's your duty--
ETHEL [eagerly, but tremulously]. That means that you--as my
guardian--think I am right?
PIKE.
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