Clive palmed his head, trying to calm himself as guilt plagued his mind. "I cannot do this any longer, Agatha. I cannot look at our daughter and lie."
"Would you prefer for her to suffer? You have a family to feed and a daughter to find a suitable husband for. What good man would want to marry a young woman whose family cannot present a dowry? Clive," Agatha reached for Clive's hand. "No matter how wonderful our daughter is, she won't have a chance unless you do this."
"We are lying to her," Clive said.
"We are doing what is right for this family. Our son has travelled far out of town to find good work so he can send money to us. Would you not like for him to return to us? To live here so he could find a decent woman to settle down with?" Agatha asked, yearning for a better life.
