up, I guess, but that's only the result of too much
New York.

(Eileen, _sensing from his manner that whatever she has hoped for
from his visit is not to be, sinks back on the pillows, shutting
her eyes hopelessly, and cannot control a sigh of pain._)

MURRAY (_turning to her anxiously_). What's the matter, Eileen? You're
not in pain, are you?

EILEEN (_wearily_). No.

MURRAY. You haven't been feeling badly lately, have you? Your letters
suddenly stopped--not a line for the past three weeks--and I----

EILEEN (_bitterly_). I got tired of writing and never getting any
answer, Stephen.

MURRAY (_shame-faced_). Come, Eileen, it wasn't as bad as that. You'd
think I never--and I did write, didn't I?

EILEEN. Right after you left here, you did, Stephen. Lately----

MURRAY. I'm sorry, Eileen. It wasn't that I didn't mean to--but--in New
York it's so hard. You start to do one thing and something else
interrupts you. You never seem to get any one thing done when it ought
to be. You can understand that, can't you, Eileen?

EILEEN (_sadly_). Yes. I understand everything now.

MURRAY (_offended_). What do you mean by everything? You said that so
strangely. You mean you don't believe---- (_But she remains silent with
her eyes shut. He frowns and takes to pacing up and down beside the
bed._) Why have they got you stuck out here on this isolation porch,
Eileen?

EILEEN (_dully_). There was no room on the main porch, I suppose.

MURRAY. You never mentioned in any of your letters----

EILEEN. It's not very cheerful to get letters full of sickness. I
wouldn't like to, I know.

MURRAY (_hurt_). That isn't fair, Eileen. You know I---- How long have
you been back in the Infirmary?

EILEEN. About a month.

MURRAY (_shocked_). A month! But you were up and about--on exercise,
weren't you--before that?

EILEEN. No. I had to stay in bed while I was at the cottage.

MURRAY. You mean--ever since that time they sent you back--the day
before I left?

EILEEN. Yes.

MURRAY. But I thought from the cheery tone of your letters that you
were----

EILEEN (_uneasily_). Getting better? I am, Stephen. I'm strong enough
to be up now, but Doctor Stanton wants me to take a good long rest this
time so that when I do get up again I'll be sure---- (_She breaks off
impatiently._) But don't let's talk about it. I'm all right. (Murray
_glances down at her face worriedly. She changes the subject._) You've
been over to see