- Carl Parkins: It does no good to look back. It can only be more of a hurt. We must now look forward, using the past only as a pattern of judgment for the future.
- [Mr. and Mrs. Parkins reflect on their daughter's crime spree and conviction for murder]
- Jane Parkins: It's all my fault. If only I hadn't thought more of my outside interests than I did of Paula. It's a strong, hard lesson we've been taught.
- Paula Parkins: Hi, Mom. Got time to talk a minute? It's rather important.
- Jane Parkins: Good gracious, no! I'm an hour late already! "Charity First" and all that sort of thing, you know. Besides, what can be so important in your young life as to warrant my attention so drastically?