(_The door in the rear is opened and_ Eileen _enters. She is just over eighteen. Her wavy mass 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_). Hello, 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_). Sssh! 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.