Josias realizes that the Freire family was embarrassed by Wallace's sinking into their troubled and controversial courtship.

"Guys, here's the matter," He goes on, "you must be aware that I defended Pamela when Wallace assaulted her in the supermarket. I don't even know why, but I believe it's past time for the family to do something effective."

"What can we do, Josias?" Harold asks desperately, "We've tried everything. We've given up hope."

Josias smiles slightly. "All is not lost, Mr. Freire. You should take advantage of Pamela's leaving the apartment and talk to him. With the days going by, he must have thought better."

Isabel folds her hands in a...