Summary
Faith (1919) unravels a taut psychological drama centered on George Farrelly, a man whose mundane existence as a bank's safe-deposit vault custodian is abruptly disrupted. A visit from Charity Garvice, a cherished figure from his youth, brings with it an unsettling premonition from his blind, sagacious former teacher, Martha Owen, hinting at a looming moral precipice in George's life. To assuage the teacher's palpable anxieties, George fabricates a tale of ethical transgression: discovering a diamond necklace, carelessly left unsecured from a strong box belonging to the formidable bank president Harrington's wife, a moment of temptation leading him to pocket the jewels. His narrative details an almost-transfer to an unnamed girl, followed by a decision to retain the item, citing an imagined impossibility of restitution. Martha, guided by her profound inner wisdom, offers counsel for its return, bringing her solace. However, the revelation to Charity that this "story" is, in fact, a stark confession of truth plunges her into profound disquiet. The subsequent act of restitution sets in motion a high-stakes confrontation with Harrington, who grants George a mere hour of liberty to unite with Charity before the law intervenes. Their hasty union precedes Harrington's astonishing disclosure: the entire incident was a meticulously orchestrated crucible, designed to test George's inherent honesty. His integrity affirmed, George is then offered the coveted position of assistant manager, a startling ascent from his previous obscurity, all predicated on a moment of profound moral choice.
Synopsis
George Farrelly, the bored custodian of the safe-deposit vaults in a New York bank, is visited by his childhood sweetheart, Charity Garvice, who tells him that his blind old teacher, Martha Owen, has a premonition that something is wrong in George's life. For the teacher's benefit, George tells a story of taking a diamond necklace left out of a strong box belonging to bank president Harrington's wife, almost giving it to a girl and then keeping it because it is too late to return it. The teacher is relieved when George accepts her advice to return the necklace, but Charity worries when he tells her that the story is true. He returns the necklace and Harrington gives him one hour to see Charity before he calls the police. After George marries Charity, Harrington admits that the necklace was left to test George's honesty, and he offers George the position of assistant manager.
