The Straw Part 7

MURRAY. One of them has--two of them--ugly, squally little brats.

EILEEN (_disapprovingly_). You don't like babies?

MURRAY (_bluntly_). No. (_Then with a grin at her shocked face._) I don't get them. They're something I can't seem to get acquainted with.

EILEEN (_with a smile, indulgently_). You're a funny person. (_Then with a superior, motherly air._) No wonder you couldn't understand how badly I feel. (_With a tender smile._) I've four of them--my brothers and sisters--though they're not what you'd call babies, except to me.

Billy is fourteen, Nora eleven, Tom ten, and even little Mary is eight.

I've been a mother to them now for a whole year--ever since our mother died (_Sadly._) And I don't know how they'll ever get along while I'm away.

MURRAY (_cynically_). Oh, they'll--(_He checks what he was going to say and adds lamely_)--get along somehow.

EILEEN (_with the same superior tone_). It's easy for you to say that.

You don't know how children grow to depend on you for everything.

You're not a woman.

MURRAY (_with a grin_). Are you? (_Then with a chuckle._) You're as old as the pyramids, aren't you? I feel like a little boy. Won't you adopt me, too?

EILEEN (_flushing, with a shy smile_). Someone ought to. (_Quickly changing the subject._) Do you know, I can't get over what you said about hating your work so. I should think it would be wonderful--to be able to write things.

MURRAY. My job had nothing to do with writing. To write--really write--yes, that's something worth trying for. That's what I've always meant to have a stab at. I've run across ideas enough for stories--that sounded good to me, anyway. (_With a forced, laugh._) But--like everything else--I never got down to it. I started one or two--but--either I thought I didn't have the time or---- (_He shrugs his shoulders._)

EILEEN. Well, you've plenty of time now, haven't you?

MURRAY (_instantly struck by this suggestion_). You mean--I could write--up here? (_She nods. His face lights up with enthusiasm._) Say!

That is an idea! Thank you! I'd never have had sense enough to have thought of that myself. (Eileen _flushes with pleasure._) Sure there's time--nothing but time up here----

EILEEN. Then you seriously think you'll try it?

MURRAY (_determinedly_). Yes. Why not? I've got to try and do something real some time, haven't I? I've no excuse not to, now. My mind isn't sick.

EILEEN (_excitedly_). That'll be wonderful!

MURRAY (_confidently_). Listen. I've had ideas for a series of short stories for the last couple of years--small town experiences, some of them actual. I know that life--too darn well. I ought to be able to write about it. And if I can sell one--to the _Post_, say--I'm sure they'd take the others, too. And then--I should worry! It'd be easy sailing. But you must promise to help--play critic for me--read them and tell me where they're rotten.

EILEEN (_pleased, but protesting_). Oh, no, I'd never dare. I don't know anything----

MURRAY. Yes, you do. You're the public. And you started me off on this thing--if I'm really starting at last. So you've got to back me up now.

(_Suddenly._) Say, I wonder if they'd let me have a typewriter up here?

EILEEN. It'd be fine if they would. I'd like to have one, too--to practice. I learned stenography at a business college and then I had a position for a year--before my mother died.

MURRAY. We could hire one--I could. I don't see why they wouldn't allow it. I'm to be sent to one of the men's huts within the next few days, and you'll be shipped to one of the women's cottages within ten days.

You're not sick enough to be kept here in bed, I'm sure of that.

EILEEN. I--I don't know----

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 gla.s.s of milk._)

MISS HOWARD. Almost bedtime, Mr. Murray. Here's your diet. (_He takes the gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s towards the door through which_ Eileen _has just gone, as if toasting her._)

"A gla.s.s 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._)

THE CURTAIN FALLS

Act Two