What is the author's tone in The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman?

There is a tone of guilt and forgiveness. Because she is a moral woman, in the last part of The Children's Hour, after she has learned the truth, Mrs. Tilford seeks to atone for what she has done. She confesses that her role in the tragedy will trouble her all her remaining days, and she hopes to make matters right, but, when she finds out that Martha has committed suicide, she is crushed. She knows that full restitution is impossible.