MURRAY. Here! None of that! You just think you're not and you won't be.
Say, I'm keen on that typewriter idea. They couldn't kick if we only
used it during recreation periods. I could have it a week, and then you
a week.
EILEEN (_eagerly_). And I could type your stories after you've written
them! I _could_ help that way.
MURRAY (_smiling_). But I'm quite able---- (_Then seeing how interested
she is he adds hurriedly._) That'd be great! It'd save so much time.
I've always been a fool at a machine. And I'd be willing to pay
whatever---- (Miss Gilpin _enters from the rear and walks towards
them._)
EILEEN (_quickly_). Oh, no! I'd be glad to get the practice. I wouldn't
accept---- (_She coughs slightly._)
MURRAY (_with a laugh_). Maybe, after you've read my stuff, you won't
type it at any price.
MISS GILPIN. Miss Carmody, may I speak to you for a moment, please.
(_She takes_ Eileen _aside and talks to her in low tones of
admonition._ Eileen's _face falls. She nods a horrified
acquiescence._ Miss Gilpin _leaves her and goes into the office,
rear._)
MURRAY (_as_ Eileen _comes back. Noticing her perturbation. Kindly_).
Well? Now, what's the trouble?
EILEEN (_her lips trembling_). She told me I mustn't forget to shield
my mouth with my handkerchief when I cough.
MURRAY (_consolingly_). Yes, that's one of the rules, you know.
EILEEN (_falteringly_). She said they'd give me--a--cup to carry
around--(_She stops, shuddering._)
MURRAY (_easily_). It's not as horrible as it sounds. They're only
little paste-board things you carry in your pocket.
EILEEN (_as if speaking to herself_). It's so horrible (_She holds out
her hand to_ Murray.) I'm to go to my room now. Good night, Mr. Murray.
MURRAY (_holding her hand for a moment--earnestly_). Don't mind your
first impressions here. You'll look on everything as a matter of course
in a few days. I felt your way at first. (_He drops her hand and shakes
his finger at her._) Mind your guardian, now! (_She forces a trembling
smile._) See you at breakfast. Good night.
(Eileen _goes out to the hall in rear._ Miss Howard _comes in
from the door just after her, carrying a glass of milk._)
MISS HOWARD. Almost bedtime, Mr. Murray. Here's your diet. (_He takes
the glass. She smiles at him provokingly._) Well, is it love at first
sight, Mr. Murray?
MURRAY (_with a grin_). Sure thing! You can consider yourself
heartlessly jilted. (_He turns and raises his glass towards the door
through which_ Eileen _has just gone, as if toasting her._)
"A glass of milk, and thou
Coughing beside me in the wilderness--
Ah--wilderness were Paradise enow!"
(_He takes a sip of milk._)
MISS HOWARD (_peevishly_). That's old stuff, Mr. Murray. A patient at
Saranac wrote that parody.
MURRAY (_maliciously_). Aha, you've discovered it's a parody, have you,
you sly minx! (Miss Howard _turns from him huffily and walks back
towards the office, her chin in the air._)