MURRAY (_much moved, strides to her bedside and takes her hands awkwardly_). Eileen. (_Then after a second's pause, in which he searches her face and is shocked by the change illness has made--anxiously._) How are you feeling, Eileen? (_He grows confused by her gaze and his eyes shift from hers, which search his face with wild yearning._) EILEEN (_forcing a smile_). Oh, I'm all right. (_Eagerly._) But you, Stephen? How are you? (_Excitedly._) Oh, it's good to see you again! (_Her eyes continue fixed on his face pleadingly, questioningly._) MURRAY (_haltingly_). And it's sure great to see you again, Eileen. (_He releases her hand and turns away._) And I'm fine and dandy. I look a little done up, I guess, but that's only the result of too much New York. (Eileen, _sensing from his manner that whatever she has hoped for from his visit is not to be, sinks back on the pillows, shutting her eyes hopelessly, and cannot control a sigh of pain._) MURRAY (_turning to her anxiously_). What's the matter, Eileen? You're not in pain, are you? EILEEN (_wearily_). No. MURRAY. You haven't been feeling badly lately, have you? Your letters suddenly stopped--not a line for the past three weeks--and I---- EILEEN (_bitterly_). I got tired of writing and never getting any answer, Stephen. MURRAY (_shame-faced_). Come, Eileen, it wasn't as bad as that. You'd think I never--and I did write, didn't I? EILEEN. Right after you left here, you did, Stephen. Lately---- MURRAY. I'm sorry, Eileen. It wasn't that I didn't mean to--but--in New York it's so hard. You start to do one thing and something else interrupts you. You never seem to get any one thing done when it ought to be. You can understand that, can't you, Eileen? EILEEN (_sadly_). Yes. I understand everything now. MURRAY (_offended_). What do you mean by everything? You said that so strangely. You mean you don't believe---- (_But she remains silent with her eyes shut. He frowns and takes to pacing up and down beside the bed._) Why have they got you stuck out here on this isolation porch, Eileen? EILEEN (_dully_). There was no room on the main porch, I suppose. MURRAY. You never mentioned in any of your letters---- EILEEN. It's not very cheerful to get letters full of sickness. I wouldn't like to, I know. MURRAY (_hurt_). That isn't fair, Eileen. You know I---- How long have you been back in the Infirmary? EILEEN. About a month. MURRAY (_shocked_). A month! But you were up and about--on exercise, weren't you--before that? EILEEN. No. I had to stay in bed while I was at the cottage. MURRAY. You mean--ever since that time they sent you back--the day before I left? EILEEN. Yes. MURRAY. But I thought from the cheery tone of your letters that you were----