noon
The scholar , though with a sharp pang , conceding to Waife that all attempt publicly to clear his good name at the cost of reversing the sacrifice he had made must be forborne , could not , however , be induced to pledge himself to unconditional silence . George felt that there were at least some others to whom the knowledge of Waife 's innocence was imperatively due . Waife is seated by his open window . It is noon ; there is sunshine in the pale blue skies -- an unusual softness in the wintry air . His Bible lies on the table beside him . He has just set his mark in the page , and reverently closed the book . He is alone .