“One moment!” said Helen. “Menelaus, we have reached the end, as you said. We have our opinion of what Hermione and Orestes have done, but since they did it on their own responsibility, we have no part in the consequences. There’s nothing more to be said, and we might as well be friends.”

“I’ll never be friends with Hermione and Orestes!”

“Of course you will! How absurd! Haven’t you made a mistake, now and then? I have. It’s all a question of degree. You get your punishment—or you don’t, but it’s not the business of your friends and your family to punish you. Do leave something to heaven, Menelaus! When a thing’s once done, I like to begin afresh and go on with my life. If you try to be an avenging fate, you’ll ruin your character. Orestes may be a criminal—that’s his affair. But it looks to me as if he were in serious trouble, and Hermione, too, since she has undertaken to share his fortunes. That really does concern you and me—we ought to help our children when they are in trouble.”

“Orestes is no child of mine.”

“Well, you’re his nearest male relative, and the only person he can turn to. You needn’t forgive his act—I don’t; but we need never mention it again. You and I tried to provide well for Hermione, and we failed. Let’s watch with a good will while she provides for herself. Hermione, so far as I’m concerned, this house is always open to you and your husband.”

“It is not!” said Menelaus.

“You won’t live here, of course,” Helen went on; “it wouldn’t be comfortable for you nor for us just now, and anyway, young people ought to have their own home. But when you wish to come to us, this is where you grew up, Hermione, and I dare say there is more love for you here than there ever will be anywhere else, no matter how popular you become.”

“That’s all right for Hermione,” said Menelaus, “but it doesn’t apply to Orestes. He didn’t grow up here, and if he isn’t more popular in some other place than he is here, he’s a complete social failure. Make it clear to him, Hermione, that the family affection is limited to yourself; we won’t receive him.”

“If I may put it another way,” said Helen, “I would suggest that we ask Hermione to send Orestes here at once. There ought to be no possibility of another misunderstanding in this home, and the wise way, I think, would be to talk it out with Orestes now. Don’t send messages through Hermione or anybody else, Menelaus; talk to Orestes yourself.”

“I won’t permit him to enter the house—and naturally I won’t talk with him.”