CARMODY (_as they enter_). I had a mind to phone to your house, but I wasn't wishful to disturb you, knowin' you'd be comin' to call to-night. NICHOLLS (_with disappointed concern_). It's nothing serious, I hope. CARMODY (_grumblingly_). Ah, who knows? Here's the doctor. You've not met him? NICHOLLS (_politely, looking at_ Gaynor, _who inclines his head stiffly_). I haven't had the pleasure. Of course, I've heard---- CARMODY. It's Doctor Gaynor. This is Fred Nicholls, Doctor. (_The two men shake hands with conventional greetings._) Sit down, Fred, that's a good lad, and be talkin' to the Doctor a moment while I go upstairs and see how is Eileen. She's all alone up there. NICHOLLS. Certainly, Mr. Carmody. Go ahead--and tell her how sorry I am to learn she's under the weather. CARMODY. I will so. (_He goes out._) GAYNOR (_after a pause in which he is studying_ Nicholls). Do you happen to be any relative to the Albert Nicholls who is superintendent over at the Downs Manufacturing Company? NICHOLLS (_smiling_). He's sort of a near relative--my father. GAYNOR. Ah, yes? NICHOLLS (_with satisfaction_). I work for the Downs Company myself--bookkeeper---- GAYNOR. Miss Carmody--the sick girl upstairs--she had a position there also, didn't she, before her mother died? NICHOLLS. Yes. She had a job as stenographer for a time. When she graduated from the business college course--I was already working at the Downs--and through my father's influence--you understand. (Gaynor _nods curtly._) She was getting on finely, too, and liked the work. It's too bad--her mother's death, I mean--forcing her to give it up and come home to take care of those kids. GAYNOR. It's a damn shame. That's the main cause of her breakdown. NICHOLLS (_frowning_). I've noticed she's been looking badly lately. So that's the trouble? Well, it's all her father's fault--and her own, too, because whenever I raised a kick about his making a slave of her, she always defended him. (_With a quick glance at the Doctor--in a confidential tone._) Between us, Carmody's as selfish as they make 'em, if you want my opinion. GAYNOR (_with a growl_). He's a hog on two legs. NICHOLLS (_with a gratified smile_). You bet! (_With a patronising air._) I hope to get Eileen away from all this as soon as--things pick up a little. (_Making haste to explain his connection with the dubious household._) Eileen and I have gone around together for years--went to Grammar and High School together--in different classes, of course. She's really a corker--very different from the rest of the family you've seen--like her mother. She's really educated and knows a lot--used to carry off all the prizes at school. My folks like her awfully well. Of course, they'd never stand for--him. GAYNOR. You'll excuse my curiosity--I've a good reason for it--but you and Miss Carmody are engaged, aren't you? Carmody said you were.