MURRAY (_explosively_). But him, especially--the dirty cad! Oh, I've got a rich notion to pay a call on that gentleman when I leave and tell him what I think of him. EILEEN (_quickly_). No--you mustn't ever! He's not to blame. If you knew---- (_She stops, lowering her eyes in confusion._) MURRAY (_roughly_). Knew what? You make me sick, Eileen--always finding excuses for him. I never could understand what a girl like you could see---- But what's the use? I've said all this before. You're wasting yourself on a---- (_Rudely._) Love must be blind. And yet you say you don't love him, really? EILEEN (_shaking her head--helplessly_). But I do--like Fred. We've been good friends so many years. I don't want to hurt him--his pride---- MURRAY. That's the same as answering no to my question. Then, if you don't love him, why don't you write and tell him to go to--break it off? (Eileen _bows her head, but doesn't reply. Irritated,_ Murray _continues brutally._) Are you afraid it would break his heart? Don't be a fool! The only way you could do that would be to deprive him of his meals. EILEEN (_springing to her feet--distractedly_). Please stop, Stephen! You're cruel! And you've been so kind--the only real friend I've had up here. Don't spoil it all now. MURRAY (_remorsefully_). I'm sorry, Eileen. I was only talking. I won't say another word. (_Irritably._) Still, someone ought to say or do something to put a stop to---- EILEEN (_with a broken laugh_). Never mind. Everything will stop--soon, now! MURRAY (_suspiciously_). What do you mean? EILEEN (_with an attempt at a careless tone_). Nothing. If you can't see---- (_She turns to him with sudden intensity._) Oh, Stephen, if you only knew how wrong you are about everything you've said. It's all true; but it isn't that--any of it--any more--that's---- Oh, I can't tell you! MURRAY (_with great interest_). Please do, Eileen! EILEEN (_with a helpless laugh_). No. MURRAY. Please tell me what it is! Let me help you. EILEEN. No. It wouldn't be any use, Stephen. MURRAY (_offended_). Why do you say that? Haven't I helped before? EILEEN. Yes--but this---- MURRAY. Come now! 'Fess up! What is "this"? EILEEN. No. I couldn't speak of it here, anyway. They'll all be coming out soon. MURRAY (_insistently_). Then when? Where? EILEEN. Oh, I don't know--perhaps never, nowhere. I don't know---- Sometime before you leave, maybe. MURRAY. But I may go to-morrow morning--if I gain weight and Stanton lets me. EILEEN (_sadly_). Yes, I was forgetting--you were going right away. (_Dully_). Then nowhere, I suppose--never. (_Glancing towards the dining-room._) They're all getting up. Let's not talk about it any more--now. MURRAY (_stubbornly_). But you'll tell me later, Eileen? You must. EILEEN (_vaguely_). Perhaps. It depends----