ig
taboo--Home, Sweet Home. We forbid that--for obvious reasons.

SLOAN. I see. (_With a final look around._) Did I understand you to say
this is the only place where the sexes are permitted to mingle?

STANTON. Yes, sir.

SLOAN (_with a smile_). Not much chance for a love affair then.

STANTON (_seriously_). We do our best to prevent them. We even have a
strict rule which allows us to step in and put a stop to any intimacy
which grows beyond the casual. People up here, Mr. Sloan, are expected
to put aside all ideas except the one--getting well.

SLOAN (_somewhat embarrassed_). A damn good rule, too, I should say,
under the circumstances.

STANTON (_with a laugh_). Yes, we're strictly anti-Cupid, sir, from top
to bottom, (_Turning to the door to the hall._) And now, if you don't
mind, Mr. Sloan, I'm going to turn you loose to wander about the
grounds on an unconducted tour. To-day is my busy morning--Saturday. We
weigh each patient immediately after breakfast.

SLOAN. Every week?

STANTON. Every Saturday. You see we depend on fluctuations in weight to
tell us a lot about the patient's condition. If they gain, or stay at
normal, all's usually well. If they lose week after week without any
reason we can definitely point to, we keep careful watch. It's a sign
that something's wrong. We're forewarned by it and on our guard.

SLOAN (_with a smile_). Well, I'm certainly learning things. (_He turns
to the door._) And you just shoo me off wherever you please and go on
with the good work. I'll be glad of a ramble in the open on such a
glorious morning.

STANTON. After the weighing is over, sir, I'll be free to----

(_His words are lost as the three go out. A moment later,_ Eileen
_enters from the dining-room. She has grown stouter, her face has
more of a healthy, out-of-door colour, but there is still about
her the suggestion of being worn down by a burden too oppressive
for her courage. She is dressed in blouse and dark skirt. She
goes to the armchair, left forward, and sinks down on it. She
is evidently in a state of nervous depression; she twists her
fingers together in her lap; her eyes stare sadly before her; she
clenches her upper lip with her teeth to prevent its trembling.
She has hardly regained control over herself when_ Stephen Murray
_comes in hurriedly from the dining-room and, seeing her at his
first glance, walks quickly over to h