CARMODY (_puts the bottle away hastily, mumbling to himself--then glowers about the room scornfully with blinking eyes_). It's a grand hotel this is, I'm thinkin', for the rich to be takin' their ease, and not a hospital for the poor, but the poor has to pay for it. NICHOLLS (_fearful of another outbreak_). Sssh! CARMODY. Don't be shshin' at me? I'm tellin' you the truth. I'd make Eileen come back out of this to-night if that divil of a doctor didn't have me by the throat. NICHOLLS (_glancing at him nervously_). I wonder how soon she'll be back? The carriage is waiting for us. We'll have to hurry to make that last train back. If we miss it--it means two hours on the damn tram. CARMODY (_angrily_). Is it anxious to get out of her sight you are, and you engaged to marry and pretendin' to love her? (Nicholls _flushes guiltily._ Murray _pricks up his ears and stares over at_ Nicholls. _The latter meets his glance, scowls, and hurriedly averts his eyes._ Carmody _goes on accusingly._) Sure, it's no heart at all you have--and her your sweetheart for years--and her sick with the consumption--and you wild to run away from her and leave her alone. NICHOLLS (_springing to his feet--furiously_). That's a----! (_He controls himself with an effort. His voice trembles._) You're not responsible for the idiotic things you're saying or I'd---- (_He turns away, seeking some escape from the old man's tongue._) I'll see if the man is still there with the carriage. (_He walks to the door on left and goes out._) CARMODY (_following him with his eyes_). Go to hell, for all I'm preventin'. You've got no guts of a man in you. (_He addresses_ Murray _with the good nature inspired by the flight of_ Nicholls.) Is it true you're one of the consumptives, young fellow? MURRAY (_delighted by this speech--with a grin_). Yes, I'm one of them. CARMODY. My name's Carmody. What's yours, then? MURRAY. Murray. CARMODY (_slapping his thigh_). Irish as Paddy's pig! (Murray _nods._ Carmody _brightens and grows confidential._) I'm glad to be knowin' you're one of us. You can keep an eye on Eileen. That's my daughter that came with us. She's got consumption like yourself. MURRAY. I'll be glad to do all I can. CARMODY. Thanks to you--though it's a grand life she'll be havin' here from the fine look of the place. (_With whining self-pity._) It's me it's hard on, God help me, with four small children and me widowed, and havin' to hire a woman to come in and look after them and the house now that Eileen's sick; and payin' for her curin' in this place, and me with only a bit of money in the bank for my old age. That's hard, now, on a man, and who'll say it isn't? MURRAY (_made uncomfortable by this confidence_). Hard luck always comes in bunches. (_To head off_ Carmody _who is about to give vent to more woe--quickly, with a glance towards the door from the hall._) If I'm not mistaken, here comes your daughter now.