ful to, _and_ get well soon.

NICHOLLS (_complacently--feeling his duty in the matter well done_).
That's the right spirit. I knew you'd see it that way. And you and I'll
do all we can to help her. (_He gets to his feet._) Well, I guess I'll
have to go. Tell Eileen----

CARMODY. You're not goin'? Sure, Eileen is puttin' on her clothes to
come down and have a look at you. She'll be here in a jiffy. Sit down
now, and wait for her.

NICHOLLS (_suddenly panic-stricken by the prospect of facing her_).
No--no--I can't stay--I only came for a moment--I've got an
appointment--honestly. Besides, it isn't right for her to be up. She's
too weak. It'll make her worse. You should have told her.

(_The door in the rear is opened and_ Eileen _enters. She is
just over eighteen. Her wavy mass of dark hair is parted in the
middle and combed low on her forehead, covering her ears, to a
knot at the back of her head. The oval of her face is spoiled by
a long, rather heavy Irish jaw contrasting with the delicacy of
her other features. Her eyes are large and blue, confident in
their compelling candour and sweetness; her lips, full and red,
half-open over strong, even teeth, droop at the corners into
an expression of wistful sadness; her clear complexion is
unnaturally striking in its contrasting colours, rose and white;
her figure is slight and undeveloped. She wears a plain black
dress with a bit of white at the neck and wrists. She stands
looking appealingly at_ Nicholls, _who avoids her glance. Her
eyes have a startled, stunned expression as if the doctor's
verdict were still in her ears._)

EILEEN (_faintly--forcing a smile_). Good evening, Fred. (_Her eyes
search his face anxiously._)

NICHOLLS (_confusedly_). Hello, Eileen. I'm so sorry to---- (_Clumsily
trying to cover up his confusion, he goes over and leads her to a
chair._) You must sit down. You've got to take care of yourself. You
never ought to have got up to-night.

EILEEN (_sits down_). I wanted to talk to you. (_She raises her face
with a pitiful smile._ Nicholls _hurriedly moves back to his own
chair._)

NICHOLLS (_almost brusquely_). I could have talked to you from the
hall. You're silly to take chances just now.

(Eileen's _eyes show her hurt at his tone._)

CARMODY (_seeing his chance--hastily_). You'll be stayin' a while now,
Fred? I'll take a walk down the road. I