The Straw Part 3

GAYNOR. Half an hour by train to the town. The sanatorium is two miles out on the hills--a nice drive. You'll be able to see her whenever you've a day off. It's a pleasant trip.

NICHOLLS (_a look of horrified realisation has been creeping into his eyes_). You said--Eileen ought to be sent away--for the sake of those around her----?

GAYNOR. That's obvious. T.B. is extremely contagious, you must know that. Yet I'll bet she's been fondling and kissing those brothers and sisters of hers regardless. (_Nicholls fidgets uneasily on his chair._) And look at this house sealed tight against the fresh air! Not a window open an inch! (_Fuming._) That's what we're up against in the fight with T.B.--a total ignorance of the commonest methods of prevention----

NICHOLLS (_his eyes s.h.i.+ftily avoiding the doctor's face_). Then the kids might have gotten it--by kissing Eileen?

GAYNOR. It stands to reason that's a common means of communication.

NICHOLLS (_very much shaken_). Yes. I suppose it must be. But that's terrible, isn't it? (_With sudden volubility, evidently extremely anxious to wind up this conversation and conceal his thoughts from_ Gaynor.) I'll promise you, Doctor, I'll tell Carmody straight what's what. He'll pay attention to me or I'll know the reason why.

GAYNOR (_getting to his feet and picking up his overcoat_). Good boy!

You've probably saved me a disagreeable squabble. I won't wait for Carmody. The sight of him makes me lose my temper. Tell him I'll be back to-morrow with definite information about the sanatorium.

NICHOLLS (_helping him on with his overcoat, anxious to have him go_).

All right, Doctor.

GAYNOR (_puts on his hat_). And do your best to cheer the patient up when you talk to her. Give her confidence in her ability to get well.

That's half the battle. And she'll believe it, coming from you.

NICHOLLS (_hastily_). Yes, yes, I'll do all I can.

GAYNOR (_turns to the door and shakes_ Nicholls' _hand sympathetically_). And don't take it to heart too much yourself.

There's every hope, remember that. In six months she'll come back to you her old self again.

NICHOLLS (_nervously_). It's hard on a fellow--so suddenly--but I'll remember--and---- (_Abruptly_). Good night, Doctor.

GAYNOR. Good night.

(_He goes out. The outer door is heard shutting behind him._ Nicholls _closes the door, rear, and comes back and sits in the chair in front of table. He rests his chin on his hands and stares before him, a look of desperate, frightened calculation coming into his eyes._ Carmody _is heard clumping heavily down the stairs. A moment later he enters. His expression is glum and irritated._)

CARMODY (_coming forward to his chair by the stove_). Has he gone away?

NICHOLLS (_turning on him with a look of repulsion_). Yes. He told me to tell you he'd be back to-morrow with definite information--about the sanatorium business.

CARMODY (_darkly_). Oho, he did, did he? Maybe I'll surprise him. I'm thinkin' it's lyin' he is about Eileen's sickness, and her lookin' as fresh as a daisy with the high colour in her cheeks when I saw her now.

NICHOLLS (_impatiently_). That's silly, Mr. Carmody. Gaynor knows his business. (_After a moment's hesitation._) He told me all about Eileen's sickness.

CARMODY (_resentfully_). Did he now, the auld monkey! Small thanks to him to be tellin' our secrets to the town.

NICHOLLS (_exasperated_). I didn't want to learn your affairs. He only told me because you'd said I and Eileen were engaged. You're the one who was telling--secrets.

CARMODY (_irritated_). Ara, don't be talkin'! That's no secret at all with the whole town watchin' Eileen and you spoonin' together from the time you was kids.

NICHOLLS (_vindictively_). Well, the whole town is liable to find out---- (_He checks himself._)

CARMODY (_too absorbed in his own troubles to notice this threat_). To h.e.l.l with the town and all in it! I've troubles enough of my own. So he told you he'd send Eileen away to the hospital? I've half a mind not to let him--and let him try to make me! (_With a frown._) But Eileen herself says she's wantin' to go, now. (_Angrily._) It's all that divil's notion he put in her head that the children'd be catchin' her sickness that makes her willin' to go.

NICHOLLS (_with a superior air_). From what he told me, I should say it was the only thing for Eileen to do if she wants to get well quickly.

(_Spitefully._) And I'd certainly not go against Gaynor, if I was you.

He told me he'd make it hot for you if you did. He will, too, you can bet on that. He's that kind.

CARMODY (_worriedly_). He's a divil. But what can he do--him and his Sasiety? I'm her father.

NICHOLLS (_seeing_ Carmody's _uneasiness, with revengeful satisfaction_). Oh, he'll do what he says, don't worry! You'll make a mistake if you think he's bluffing. It'd probably get in all the papers about you refusing. Every one would be down on you. (_As a last jab--spitefully._) You might even lose your job over it, people would be so sore.

CARMODY (_jumping to his feet_). Ah, divil take him! Let him send her where he wants, then. I'll not be sayin' a word.

NICHOLLS (_as an afterthought_). And, honestly, Mr. Carmody, I don't see how you can object for a second--after he's told you it's absolutely necessary for Eileen to go away. (_Seeing_ Carmody's _shaken condition, he finishes boldly._) You've some feeling for your own daughter, haven't you? You'd be a fine father if you hadn't!

CARMODY (_apprehensively_). Whisht! She might hear you. But you're right. Let her do what she's wishful 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 ma.s.s 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_). h.e.l.lo, 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'm needin' a drink to clear my wits. (_He goes to the door in rear._)

EILEEN (_reproachfully_). You won't be long, Father? And please don't--you know.

CARMODY (_exasperated_). Sure who wouldn't get drunk with all the sorrows of the world piled on him? (_He stamps out. A moment later the outside door bangs behind him._ Eileen _sighs._ Nicholls _walks up and down with his eyes on the floor._)

NICHOLLS (_furious at_ Carmody _for having left him in this situation_). Honestly, Eileen, your father is the limit. I don't see how you stand for him. He's the most selfish----

EILEEN (_gently_). Sss.h.!.+ You mustn't, Fred. He's not to blame. He just doesn't understand. (Nicholls _snorts disdainfully._) Don't! Let's not talk about him now. We won't have many more evenings together for a long, long time. Did father or the Doctor tell you---- (_She falters._)

NICHOLLS (_not looking at her--glumly_). Everything there was to tell, I guess.

EILEEN (_hastening to comfort him_). You mustn't worry, Fred. Please don't! It'd make it so much worse for me if I thought you did. I'll be all right. I'll do exactly what they tell me, and in a few months I'll be back so fat and healthy you won't know me.

NICHOLLS (_lamely_). Oh, there's no doubt of that. No one's worrying about your not getting well quick.