Muriel was nervous as she and Tommy walked down the hallway to her stateroom. How was she going to explain staying with Tommy to her parents? Cormick already didn't like him, who's to say what he would do now, especially if he had been drinking. What would her mother say about missing church? None of them had ever missed church before.

"Papa?" she said knocking the door.

Tommy looked at her worried. He hoped Cormick wouldn't hit her. He saw him hit her before in the galley. Muriel knocked on the door again.

"Mama?" she said.

The two of them turned when they heard footsteps coming down the hall. Cormick and Ita held their children's hands, dressed in their Sunday best, coming back from the church service held in the galley.

"You missed the service", Ita said.

"I'm sorry", Muriel said. "I overslept."

Cormick glared at her and Tommy. He knew she did not come back last night, even after Tommy promised to bring her back. Ita looked at him worried and unlocked the door to the children's room.

"Go inside", she said.

"Is Muriel in trouble?" Edith asked.

"Go", she said nudging them toward the door.

Thomas took his sisters' hands and nodded as they walked inside.

"Yes, she's in trouble."

Ita unlocked the door to her and Cormick's room. Muriel looked at her parents scared and held Tommy's hand as they walked inside. Ita and Cormick went inside and shut the door behind them. They looked at the young couple, waiting for an explanation for the night before and for this morning.

"Mama, Papa, I'm sorry for not coming back", Muriel said looking down. "I promise nothing happened between Tommy and I."

"And you expect me to believe that?" Cormick asked. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. The way you were drinking last night. You expect me to believe you gave up your purity to some stranger?"

"Papa…" she tearfully said.

"I told your mother I wouldn't have you making a complete whore out of yourself!"

"Sir, please let me explain", Tommy said. "I took her to my room to let her sleep off the hangover, nothing more."

"And I suppose you shared the same bed?" Cormick asked.

"Yes, but I didn't lay a finger on your daughter."

"I don't believe you", he said crossing his arms.

"Papa, we're telling you the truth", Muriel said. "Stop acting like this! I am not a whore!"

He glared at her and slapped her across the face.

"Cormick!" Ita gasped grabbing his arm.

"You will not talk back to me like that", he said to Muriel. "Just who do you think you are?"

Tommy wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. She cried and got up. She ran to the door and opened it, leaving the room. She walked to her room, getting her clothes.

"What are you doing?" Margaret asked.

"I can't stay here anymore", Muriel cried. "I can't stand Papa's drunken behavior."

"Papa's behavior has nothing to do with your behavior", Thomas said. "You were the one who did something wrong."

"I did nothing wrong! I just spent the night Tommy."

She cried as she packed her clothes in her bag. She couldn't stay and let Cormick continue to yell and beat her about Tommy. She picked up her bag and looked at Tommy who was standing outside the room. He wrapped his arms around her and held her.

"You're welcome to stay with me", he said.

"Thank you", she said wrapping her arms around him.