Simms
_adjusts it to her weight of the previous week, which_ Stanton
_reads to him from the book in a low voice, and weighs her._)

MURRAY (_with a relieved sigh_). They're off. (_Noticing_ Eileen's
_downcast head and air of dejection._) Here! Buck up, Eileen! Old Lady
Grundy's watching you--and it's your turn in a second.

(Eileen _raises her head and forces a frightened smile._ Mrs.
Abner _gets down off the scale with a pleased grin. She has
evidently gained. She rejoins the group of women, chattering
volubly in low tones. Her exultant "gained half a pound" can be
heard. The other women smile their perfunctory congratulations,
their eyes absent-minded, intent on their own worries._ Stanton
_writes down the weight in the book._)

STANTON. Miss Bailey. (_A young girl goes to the scales._)

MURRAY. Bailey looks bad, doesn't she?

EILEEN (_her lips trembling_). She's been losing, too.

MURRAY. Well, _you're_ going to gain to-day. Remember, now!

EILEEN (_with a feeble smile_). I'll try to obey your orders.

(Miss Bailey _goes down off the scales. Her eyes are full of
despondency although she tries to make a brave face of it,
forcing a laugh as she joins the women. They stare at her with
pitying looks and murmur consoling phrases._)

EILEEN. She's lost again. Oh, I wish I didn't have to get weighed----

STANTON. Miss Carmody.

(Eileen _starts nervously._)

MURRAY (_as she leaves him_). Remember now! Break the scales!

(_She walks quickly to the scales, trying to assume an air of
defiant indifference. The balance stays down as she steps up._
Eileen's _face shows her despair at this._ Simms _weighs her and
gives the poundage in a low voice to_ Stanton. Eileen _steps down
mechanically, then hesitates as if not knowing where to turn, her
anguished eyes flitting from one group to another._)

MURRAY (_savagely_). Damn!

(Doctor Stanton _writes the figures in his book, glances sharply
at_ Eileen, _and then nods significantly to_ Mrs. Turner _who is
standing beside him._)

STANTON (_calling the next_). Miss Doeffler.

(_Another woman comes to be weighed._)

MRS. TURNER. Miss Carmody! Will you come here a moment, please?

EILEEN (_her face growing very pale_). Yes, Mrs. Turner.

(_The heads of the different groups bend together. Their eyes
follow_ Eileen