MISS GILPIN. With others it might be different. They might improve
under changed surroundings. In her case, it's certain. She'll die. And
it wouldn't do any good to keep her here, either. She'd die here.
She'll die anywhere. She'll die because lately she's given up hope, she
hasn't wanted to live any more. She's let herself go--and now it's too
late.
MURRAY. Too late? You mean there's no chance--now? (Miss Gilpin _nods._
Murray _is overwhelmed--after a pause--stammering._) Isn't
there--anything--we can do?
MISS GILPIN (_sadly_). I don't know. I should have talked to you before
you---- You see, she's seen you now. She knows. (_As he looks mystified
she continues slowly._) I suppose you know that Eileen loves you, don't
you?
MURRAY (_as if defending himself against an accusation--with confused
alarm_). No--Miss Gilpin. You're wrong, honestly. She may have felt
something like that--once--but that was long ago before I left the San.
She's forgotten all about it since, I know she has. (Miss Gilpin
_smiles bitterly._) Why, she never even alluded to it in any of her
letters--all these months.
MISS GILPIN. Did you in yours?
MURRAY. No, of course not. You don't understand. Why--just now--she
said that part of it had all been so silly she felt she'd acted like a
fool and didn't ever want to be reminded of it.
MISS GILPIN. She saw that you didn't love her--any more than you did in
the days before you left. Oh, I used to watch you then. I sensed what
was going on between you. I would have stopped it then out of pity for
her, if I could have, if I didn't know that any interference would only
make matters worse. And then I thought that it might be only a surface
affair--that after you were gone it would end for her. (_She
sighs--then after a pause._) You'll have to forgive me for speaking to
you so boldly on a delicate subject. But, don't you see, it's for her
sake. I love Eileen. We all do. (_Averting her eyes from his--in a low
voice._) I know how Eileen feels, Mr. Murray. Once--a long time ago--I
suffered as she is suffering--from this same mistake. But I had
resources to fall back upon that Eileen hasn't got--a family who loved
me and understood--friends--so I pulled through. But it spoiled my life
for a long time. (_Looking at him again and forcing a smile._) So I
feel that perhaps I have a right to speak for Eileen who has no one
else.
MURRAY (_huskily--much moved_). Say anything to me you like, Miss
Gilpin.
MISS GILPIN (_after a pause--sadly_). You don't love her--do you?
MURRAY. No--I--I don't believe I've ever thought much of loving
anyone--that way.
MISS GILPIN (_sadly_). Oh, it's too late, I'm afraid. If we had only
had this talk before you had seen her! I meant to talk to you frankly
and if I found out you didn't love Eileen--there was always the forlorn
hope that you might--I was going to tell you not to see her, for her
sake--not to let her face the truth. For I am sure she continued to
hope in spite of everything, and always would--to the end--if she
didn't see you. I was going to implore you to stay away, to write her
letters that would encourage her hope, and in that way she would never
learn the truth. I thought of writing you all this--but--it's so
delicate a matter--I didn't have the courage. (_With intense grief._)
And now Doctor Stanton's decision to send her away makes everything
doubly hard. When she knows _that_--she will throw everything that
holds her to life--out of the window! And think of it--her dying there
alone!
MURRAY (_very pale_). Don't! That shan't happen. I can at least save
her from that. I have money enough--I'll make more--to send her to any
place you think----
MISS GILPIN. That is something--but it doesn't touch the source of her
unhappiness. If there were only some way to make her happy in the
little time that is left to her! She has suffered so much through you.
Oh, Mr. Murray, can't you tell her you love her?
MURRAY (_after a pause--slowly_). But she'll never believe me, I'm
afraid, now.
MISS GILPIN (_eagerly_). But you must make her believe! And you must
ask her to marry you. If you're engaged it will give you the right in
her eyes to take her away. You can take her to some private San.
There's a small place, but a very good one, at White Lake. It's not too
expensive, and it's a beautiful spot, out of the world, and you can
live and work near by. And she'll be happy to the very last. Don't you
think that's something--the best you have--the best you can give in
return for her love for you?
MURRAY (_slowly--deeply moved_). Yes. (_Then determinedly._) But I
won't go into this thing by halves. It isn't fair to her. I'm going to
marry her--yes, I mean it. I owe her that if it will make her happy.
But to ask her without really meaning it--knowing she--no, I can't do
that.
MISS GILPIN (_with a sad smile_). I'm glad you feel that way. It
shouldn't be hard now for you to convince her. But I know Eileen. She
will never consent--for your sake--until she is well again. And stop
and think, Mr. Murray. Even if she did consent to marry you right now
the shock--the excitement--it would be suicide for her. I would have to
warn her against it myself; and you wouldn't propose it if you knew the
danger to her in her present condition. She hasn't long to live, at
best. I've talked with Dr. Stanton. I know. God knows I would be the
first one to hold out hope if there was any. There isn't. It's merely a
case of prolonging the short time left to her and making it happy. You
must bear that in mind--as a fact!
MURRAY (_dully_). All right. I'll remember. But it's hell to
realise---- (_He turns suddenly towards the porch door._) I'll go out
to her now while I feel--that--yes, I know I can make her believe me
now.
MISS GILPIN. You'll tell me--later on?
MURRAY. Yes. (_He opens the door to the porch and goes out._ Miss
Gilpin _stands for a moment looking after him worriedly. Then she sighs
helplessly and goes out to the hall._ Murray _steps noiselessly out on
the porch._ Eileen _is lying motionless with her eyes closed._ Murray
_stands looking at her, his face showing the emotional stress he is
under, a great pitying tenderness in his eyes. Then he seems to come to
a revealing decision on what is best to do for he tiptoes to the
bedside and bending down with a quick movement, takes her in his arms
and kisses her._) Eileen!
EILEEN (_startled at first, resists automatically for a moment_).
Stephen! (_Then she succumbs and lies back in his arms with a happy
sigh, putting both hands to the sides of his face and staring up at him
adoringly._) Stephen, dear!
MURRAY (_quickly questioning her before she can question him_). You
were fibbing--about that night--weren't you? You do love me, don't you,
Eileen?
EILEEN (_breathlessly_). Yes--I--but you, Stephen--you don't love me.
(_She makes a movement as if to escape from his embrace._)
MURRAY (_genuinely moved--with tender reassurance_). Why do you suppose
I came up here if not to tell you I did? But they warned me--Miss
Gilpin--that you were still weak and that I mustn't excite you in any
way. And I--I didn't want--but I had to come back and tell you in spite
of them.
EILEEN (_convinced--with a happy laugh_). And is that why you acted so
strange--and cold? Aren't they silly to tell you that! As if being
happy could hurt me! Why, it's just that, just you I've needed!
MURRAY (_his voice trembling_). And you'll marry me, Eileen?
EILEEN (_a shadow of doubt crossing her face momentarily_). Are you
sure--you want me, Stephen?
MURRAY (_a lump in his throat--huskily_). Yes. I do want you, Eileen.
EILEEN (_happily_). Then I will--after I'm well again, of course. (_She
kisses him._)
MURRAY (_chokingly_). That won't be long now, Eileen.
EILEEN (_joyously_). No--not long--now that I'm happy for once in my
life. I'll surprise you, Stephen, the way I'll pick up and grow fat and
healthy. You won't know me in a month. How can you ever love such a
skinny homely thing as I am now! (_With a laugh._) I couldn't if I was
a man--love such a fright.
MURRAY. Sssh!
EILEEN (_confidently_). But you'll see now. I'll make myself get well.
We won't have to wait long, dear. And can't you move up to the town
near here where you can see me every day, and you can work and I can
help you with your stories just as I used to--and I'll soon be strong
enough to do your typing again. (_She laughs._) Listen to me--talking
about helping you--as if they weren't all your own work, those blessed
stories!--as if I had anything to do with it!
MURRAY (_hoarsely_). You had! You did! They're yours. (_Trying to calm
himself._) But you mustn't stay here, Eileen. You'll let me take you
away, won't you?--to a better place--not far away--White Lake, it's
called. There's a small private sanatorium there. Doctor Stanton says
it's one of the best. And I'll live near by--it's a beautiful spot--and
see you every day.
EILEEN (_in the seventh heaven_). And did you plan out all this for
me beforehand, Stephen? (_He nods with averted eyes. She kisses his
hair._) You wonderful, kind dear! And it's a small place--this White
Lake? Then we won't have so many people around to disturb us, will
we? We'll be all to ourselves. And you ought to work so well up
there. I know New York wasn't good for you--alone--without me. And
I'll get well and strong so quick! And you say it's a beautiful
place? (_Intensely._) Oh, Stephen, any place in the world would
be beautiful to me--if you were with me! (_His face is hidden in
the pillow beside her. She is suddenly startled by a muffled
sob--anxiously._) Why--Stephen--you're--you're crying! (_The tears
start to her own eyes._)
MURRAY _(raising his face which is this time alight with a passionate
awakening--a revelation_). Oh, I do love you, Eileen. I do! I love you,
love you!
EILEEN (_thrilled by the depth of his present sincerity--but with a
teasing laugh_). Why, you say that as if you'd just made the discovery,
Stephen!
MURRAY. Oh, what does it matter, Eileen! I love you! Oh, what a blind,
selfish ass I've been! I love you! You are my life--everything! I love
you, Eileen! I do! I do! And we'll be married----
(_Suddenly his face grows frozen with horror as he remembers the
doom. For the first time the grey spectre of Death confronts him
face to face as a menacing reality._)
EILEEN (_terrified by the look in his eyes_). What is it, Stephen?
What----?
MURRAY (_with a groan--protesting half-aloud in a strangled voice_).
No! No! It can't be----! My God! (_He clutches her hands and hides his
face in them._)
EILEEN (_with a cry_). Stephen! What is the matter? (_Her face suddenly
betrays apprehension, an intuitive sense of the truth._) Oh--Stephen----
(_Then with a childish whimper of terror._) Oh, Stephen, I'm going to
die! I'm going to die!
MURRAY (_lifting his tortured face--wildly_). No!
EILEEN (_her voice sinking to a dead, whisper_). I'm going to die.
MURRAY (_seizing her in his arms in a passionate frenzy and pressing
his lips to hers_). No, Eileen, no, my love, no! What are you saying?
What could have made you think it? You--die? Why, of course, we're all
going to die--but--Good God! What damned nonsense! You're getting
well--every day. Everyone--Miss Gilpin--Stanton--everyone told me that.
I swear before God, Eileen, they did! You're still weak, that's all.
They said--it won't be long. You mustn't think that--not now.
EILEEN (_miserably--unconvinced_). But why did you look at me--that
way--with that awful look in your eyes----?
(_While she is speaking_ Miss Gilpin _enters the room from the
corridor. She appears worried, agitated. She hurries towards the
porch, but stops inside the doorway, arrested by_ Murray's
_voice._)
MURRAY (_takes_ Eileen _by the shoulders and forces her to look into
his eyes_). I wasn't thinking about you then---- No, Eileen--not you. I
didn't mean you--but me--yes, me! I couldn't tell you before. They'd
warned me--not to excite you--and I knew that would--if you loved me.
EILEEN (_staring at him with frightened amazement_). You mean
you--you're sick again?
MURRAY (_desperately striving to convince her_). Yes. I saw Stanton. I
lied to you before--about that. It's come back on me, Eileen--you see
how I look--I've let myself go. I don't know how to live without you,
don't you see? And you'll--marry me now--without waiting--and help me
to get well--you and I together--and not mind their lies--what they say
to prevent you? You'll do that, Eileen?
EILEEN. I'll do anything for you---- And I'd be so happy---- (_She
breaks down._) But, Stephen, I'm so afraid. I'm all mixed up. Oh,
Stephen, I don't know what to believe!
MISS GILPIN (_who has been listening thunderstruck to_ Murray's _wild
pleading, at last summons up the determination to interfere--steps out
on the porch--a tone of severe remonstrance_). Mr. Murray!
MURRAY (_starts to his feet with wild, bewildered eyes--confusedly_).
Oh--you---- (Miss Gilpin _cannot restrain an exclamation of dismay as
she sees his face wrung by despair._ Eileen _turns her head away with a
little cry, as if she would hide her face in the bedclothes. A sudden
fierce resolution lights up_ Murray's _countenance--hoarsely._) You're
just in the nick of time, Miss Gilpin! Eileen! Listen! You'll believe
Miss Gilpin, won't you? She knows all about it. (Eileen _turns her eyes
questioningly on the bewildered nurse._)
MISS GILPIN. What----?
MURRAY (_determinedly_). Miss Gilpin, Doctor Stanton has spoken to you
since he examined me. He must have told you the truth about me. Eileen
doesn't believe me--when I tell her I've got T.B. again. She thinks--I
don't know what. I know you're not supposed to, but can't you make an
exception--in this case? Can't you tell Eileen the truth?
MISS GILPIN (_stunned by being thus defiantly confronted--stammeringly_).
Mr. Murray! I--I--how can you ask----
MURRAY (_quickly_). Eileen has a right to know. She loves me--and
I--I--love her! (_He holds her eyes and speaks with a passion of
sincerity that compels belief._) I love her, do you hear?
MISS GILPIN (_falteringly_). You--love--Eileen?
MURRAY. Yes! I do! (_Entreatingly._) So--tell her--won't you?
MISS GILPIN (_swallowing hard, her eyes full of pity and sorrow fixed
on_ Eileen). Yes--Eileen--it's true. (_She turns away slowly towards
the door._)
EILEEN (_with a little cry of alarmed concern, stretches out her hands
to_ Murray _protectingly_). Poor Stephen--dear! (_He grasps her hands
and kisses them._)
MISS GILPIN (_in a low voice_). Mr. Murray. May I speak to you for a
moment?
MURRAY (_with a look of questioning defiance at her_). Certainly.
MISS GILPIN (_turns to_ Eileen _with a forced smile_). I won't steal
him away for more than a moment, Eileen. (Eileen _smiles happily._)
MURRAY (_follows_ Miss Gilpin _into the room. She leads him to the far
end of the room near the door to the hall, after shutting the porch
door carefully behind him. He looks at her defiantly_). Well?
MISS GILPIN (_in low agitated tones_). What has happened? What is the
meaning--I feel as if I may have done a great wrong to myself--to
you--to her--by that lie. And yet--something impelled me.
MURRAY (_moved_). Don't regret it, Miss Gilpin! It has saved her--us.
Oh, how can I explain what happened? I suddenly saw--how beautiful and
sweet and good she is--how I couldn't bear the thought of life without
her--her love---- That's all. (_Determinedly._) She must marry me at
once and I will take her away--the far West--any place Stanton thinks
can help. And she can take care of me--as she thinks--and I know she
will grow well as I seem to grow well. Oh Miss Gilpin, don't you see?
No half and half measures--no promises--no conditional engagements--can
help us--help her. We love too much! (_Fiercely, as if defying her._)
But we'll win together. We can! We must! There are things your doctors
cannot value--cannot know the strength of! (_Exultantly._) You'll see!
I'll make Eileen get well, I tell you! Happiness will cure! Love is
stronger than---- (_He suddenly breaks down before the pitying negation
she cannot keep from her eyes. He sinks on a chair, shoulders bowed,
face hidden in his hands, with a groan of despair._) Oh, why did you
give me a hopeless hope?
MISS GILPIN (_putting her hand on his shoulder--with tender compassion--sadly_).
Isn't everything we know--just that--when you think of it? (_Her face
lighting up with a consoling revelation._) But there must be something
behind it--some promise of fulfilment,--somehow--somewhere--in the
spirit of hope itself.
MURRAY (_dully_). Yes--but what do words mean to me now? (_Then
suddenly starting to his feet and flinging off her hand with disdainful
strength--violently and almost insultingly._) What damned rot! I tell
you we'll win! We must! Oh, I'm a fool to waste words on you! What can
you know? Love isn't in the materia medica. Your predictions--all the
verdicts of all the doctors--what do they matter to me? This is--beyond
you! And we'll win in spite of you! (_Scornfully._) How dare you use
the word hopeless--as if it were the last! Come now, confess, damn it!
There's always hope, isn't there? What do you _know_? Can you say you
_know_ anything?
MISS GILPIN (_taken aback by his violence for a moment, finally bursts
into a laugh of helplessness which is close to tears_). I? I know
nothing--absolutely nothing! God bless you both!
(_She raises her handkerchief to her eyes and hurries out to the
corridor without turning her head._ Murray _stands looking after
her for a moment; then strides out to the porch._)
EILEEN (_turning and greeting him with a shy smile of happiness as he
comes and kneels by her bedside_). Stephen! (_He kisses her. She
strokes his hair and continues in a tone of motherly, self-forgetting
solicitude._) I'll have to look out for you, Stephen, won't I? From now
on? And see that you rest so many hours a day--and drink your milk when
I drink mine--and go to bed at nine sharp when I do--and obey
everything I tell you--and----