The Straw Part 17

CARMODY (_with an effort_). Not goin' to. It's done.

EILEEN (_without a trace of feeling_). Oh, so you've been married already?

(_Without further comment, she closes her eyes._)

CARMODY. Two weeks back we were, by Father Fitz.

(_He stands staring down at his daughter, irritated, perplexed and confounded by her silence, looking as if he longed to shake her._)

MRS. BRENNAN (_angry at the lack of enthusiasm shown by_ Eileen). Let us get out of this, Bill. We're not wanted, that's plain as the nose on your face. It's little she's caring about you, and little thanks she has for all you've done for her and the money you've spent.

CARMODY (_with a note of pleading_). Is that a proper way to be treatin' your father, Eileen, after what I've told you? Have you no heart in you at all? Is it nothin' to you you've a good, kind woman now for mother?

EILEEN (_fiercely, her eyes flas.h.i.+ng open on him_). No, no! Never!

MRS. BRENNAN (_plucking at_ Carmody's _elbow. He stands looking at_ Eileen _helplessly, his mouth open, a guilty flush spreading over his face_). Come out of here, you big fool, you! Is it to listen to insults to your livin' wife you're waiting? Am I to be tormented and you never raise a hand to stop her?

CARMODY (_turning on her threateningly_). Will you shut your gab?

EILEEN (_with a moan_). Oh, go away, Father! Please! Take her away!

MRS. BRENNAN (_pulling at his arm_). Take me away this second or I'll go on without you and never speak again to you till the day I die!

CARMODY (_pushes her violently away from him--his fist uplifted_). Shut your gab, I'm saying!

MRS. BRENNAN. The divil mend you and yours then! I'm leavin' you. (_She starts for the door._)

CARMODY (_hastily_). Wait a bit, Maggie. I'm comin'. (_She goes into the room, slamming the door, but once inside she stands still, trying to listen._ Carmody _glares down at his daughter's pale twitching face with the closed eyes. Finally he croaks in a whining tone of fear._) Is your last word a cruel one to me this day, Eileen?

(_She remains silent. His face darkens. He turns and strides out of the door._ Mary _darts after him with a frightened cry of "Papa."_ Eileen _covers her face with her hands and a shudder of relief runs over her body._)

MRS. BRENNAN (_as_ Carmody _enters the room--in a mollified tone_). So you've come, have you? Let's go, then? (Carmody _stands looking at her in silence, his expression full of gloomy rage. She bursts out impatiently._) Are you comin' or are you goin' back to her? (_She grabs_ Mary's _arm and pushes her towards, the door to the hall._) Are you comin' or not, I'm askin'?

CARMODY (_sombrely--as if to himself_). There's something wrong in the whole of this--that I can't make out. (_With sudden fury he brandishes his fists as though defying someone and growls threateningly._) And I'll get drunk this night--dead, rotten drunk! (_He seems to detect disapproval in_ Mrs. Brennan's _face, for he shakes his fist at her and repeats like a solemn oath._) I'll get drunk this night, I'm sayin'!

I'll get drunk if my soul roasts for it--and no one in the whole world is strong enough to stop me!

(Mrs. Brennan _turns from him with a disgusted shrug of her shoulders and hustles_ Mary _out of the door._ Carmody, _after a second's pause, follows them._ Eileen _lies still, looking out into the woods with empty, desolate eyes._ Miss Howard _comes into the room from the hall and goes to the porch, carrying a gla.s.s of milk in her hand._)

MISS HOWARD. Here's your diet, Eileen. I forgot it until just now.

Sundays are awful days, aren't they? They get me all mixed up in my work, with all these visitors around. Did you have a nice visit with your folks?

EILEEN (_forcing a smile_). Yes.

MISS HOWARD. You look worn out. I hope they didn't worry you over home affairs?

EILEEN. No.

(_She sips her milk and sets it back on the table with a shudder of disgust._)

MISS HOWARD (_with a smile_). What a face! You'd think you were taking poison.

EILEEN. I hate it! (_With deep pa.s.sion._) I wish it was poison!

MISS HOWARD (_jokingly_). Oh, come now! That isn't a nice way to feel on the Sabbath. (_With a meaning smile._) I've some news that'll cheer you up, I bet. (_Archly._) Guess who's here on a visit?

EILEEN (_startled--in a frightened whisper_). Who?

MISS HOWARD. Mr. Murray. (Eileen _closes her eyes wincingly for a moment and a shadow of pain comes over her face._) He just came about the time your folks did. I saw him for a moment, not to speak to. He was going to the main building--to see Doctor Stanton, I suppose.

(_Beaming--with a certain curiosity._) What do you think of that for news?

EILEEN (_trying to conceal her agitation and a.s.sume a casual tone_). He must have come to be examined.

MISS HOWARD (_with a meaning laugh_). Oh, I'd hardly say that was his main reason. He does look much thinner and very tired, though. I suppose he's been working too hard. (_In business-like tones._) Well, I've got to get back on the job. (_She turns to the door calling back jokingly._) He'll be in to see you, of course, so look your prettiest.

(_She goes out and shuts the door to the porch._ Eileen _gives a frightened gasp and struggles up in bed as if she wanted to call the nurse to return. Then she lies back in a state of great nervous excitement, twisting her head with eager, fearful glances towards the door, listening, clasping and unclasping her thin fingers on the white spread. As_ Miss Howard _walks across the room to the hall door, it is opened and_ Stephen Murray _enters.

A great change is visible in his face. It is much thinner and the former healthy tan has faded to a sallow pallor. Puffy shadows of sleeplessness and dissipation are marked under his heavy-lidded eyes. He is dressed in a well-fitting, expensive dark suit, a white s.h.i.+rt with a soft collar and bright-coloured tie._)

MISS HOWARD (_with pleased surprise, holding out her hand_). h.e.l.lo, Mr.

Murray.

MURRAY (_shaking her hand--with a forced pleasantness_). How are you, Miss Howard?

MISS HOWARD. Fine as ever. It certainly looks natural to see you around here again--not that I hope you're here to stay, though. (_With a smile._) I suppose you're on your way to Eileen now. Well, I won't keep you. I've stacks of work to do. (_She opens the hall door. He starts for the porch._) Oh, I was forgetting--Congratulations! I've read those stories--all of us have. They're great. We're all so proud of you.

You're one of our graduates, you know.

MURRAY (_indifferently_). Oh,--that stuff.

MISS HOWARD (_gaily_). Don't be so modest. Well, see you later, I hope.

MURRAY. Yes. Doctor Stanton invited me to stay for supper and I may----

MISS HOWARD. Fine! Be sure to!

(_She goes out._ Murray _walks to porch door and steps out. He finds_ Eileen's _eyes waiting for him. As their eyes meet she gasps involuntarily and he stops short in his tracks. For a moment they remain looking at each other in silence._)

EILEEN (_dropping her eyes--faintly_). Stephen.

MURRAY (_much moved, strides to her bedside and takes her hands awkwardly_). Eileen. (_Then after a second's pause, in which he searches her face and is shocked by the change illness has made--anxiously._) How are you feeling, Eileen? (_He grows confused by her gaze and his eyes s.h.i.+ft from hers, which search his face with wild yearning._)

EILEEN (_forcing a smile_). Oh, I'm all right. (_Eagerly._) But you, Stephen? How are you? (_Excitedly._) Oh, it's good to see you again!

(_Her eyes continue fixed on his face pleadingly, questioningly._)

MURRAY (_haltingly_). And it's sure great to see you again, Eileen.

(_He releases her hand and turns away._) And I'm fine and dandy. I look a little done 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?