The Straw Part 7

MURRAY. One of them has--two of them--ugly, squally little brats.

EILEEN (_disapprovingly_). You don't like babies?

MURRAY (_bluntly_). No. (_Then with a grin at her shocked face._) I don't get them. They're something I can't seem to get acquainted with.

EILEEN (_with a smile, indulgently_). You're a funny person. (_Then with a superior, motherly air._) No wonder you couldn't understand how badly I feel. (_With a tender smile._) I've four of them--my brothers and sisters--though they're not what you'd call babies, except to me.

Billy is fourteen, Nora eleven, Tom ten, and even little Mary is eight.

I've been a mother to them now for a whole year--ever since our mother died (_Sadly._) And I don't know how they'll ever get along while I'm away.

MURRAY (_cynically_). Oh, they'll--(_He checks what he was going to say and adds lamely_)--get along somehow.

EILEEN (_with the same superior tone_). It's easy for you to say that.

You don't know how children grow to depend on you for everything.

You're not a woman.

MURRAY (_with a grin_). Are you? (_Then with a chuckle._) You're as old as the pyramids, aren't you? I feel like a little boy. Won't you adopt me, too?

EILEEN (_flus.h.i.+ng, with a shy smile_). Someone ought to. (_Quickly changing the subject._) Do you know, I can't get over what you said about hating your work so. I should think it would be wonderful--to be able to write things.

MURRAY. My job had nothing to do with writing. To write--really write--yes, that's something worth trying for. That's what I've always meant to have a stab at. I've run across ideas enough for stories--that sounded good to me, anyway. (_With a forced, laugh._) But--like everything else--I never got down to it. I started one or two--but--either I thought I didn't have the time or---- (_He shrugs his shoulders._)

EILEEN. Well, you've plenty of time now, haven't you?

MURRAY (_instantly struck by this suggestion_). You mean--I could write--up here? (_She nods. His face lights up with enthusiasm._) Say!

That is an idea! Thank you! I'd never have had sense enough to have thought of that myself. (Eileen _flushes with pleasure._) Sure there's time--nothing but time up here----

EILEEN. Then you seriously think you'll try it?

MURRAY (_determinedly_). Yes. Why not? I've got to try and do something real some time, haven't I? I've no excuse not to, now. My mind isn't sick.

EILEEN (_excitedly_). That'll be wonderful!

MURRAY (_confidently_). Listen. I've had ideas for a series of short stories for the last couple of years--small town experiences, some of them actual. I know that life--too darn well. I ought to be able to write about it. And if I can sell one--to the _Post_, say--I'm sure they'd take the others, too. And then--I should worry! It'd be easy sailing. But you must promise to help--play critic for me--read them and tell me where they're rotten.

EILEEN (_pleased, but protesting_). Oh, no, I'd never dare. I don't know anything----

MURRAY. Yes, you do. You're the public. And you started me off on this thing--if I'm really starting at last. So you've got to back me up now.

(_Suddenly._) Say, I wonder if they'd let me have a typewriter up here?

EILEEN. It'd be fine if they would. I'd like to have one, too--to practice. I learned stenography at a business college and then I had a position for a year--before my mother died.

MURRAY. We could hire one--I could. I don't see why they wouldn't allow it. I'm to be sent to one of the men's huts within the next few days, and you'll be s.h.i.+pped to one of the women's cottages within ten days.

You're not sick enough to be kept here in bed, I'm sure of that.

EILEEN. I--I don't know----

MURRAY. Here! None of that! You just think you're not and you won't be.

Say, I'm keen on that typewriter idea. They couldn't kick if we only used it during recreation periods. I could have it a week, and then you a week.

EILEEN (_eagerly_). And I could type your stories after you've written them! I _could_ help that way.

MURRAY (_smiling_). But I'm quite able---- (_Then seeing how interested she is he adds hurriedly._) That'd be great! It'd save so much time.

I've always been a fool at a machine. And I'd be willing to pay whatever---- (Miss Gilpin _enters from the rear and walks towards them._)

EILEEN (_quickly_). Oh, no! I'd be glad to get the practice. I wouldn't accept---- (_She coughs slightly._)

MURRAY (_with a laugh_). Maybe, after you've read my stuff, you won't type it at any price.

MISS GILPIN. Miss Carmody, may I speak to you for a moment, please.

(_She takes_ Eileen _aside and talks to her in low tones of admonition._ Eileen's _face falls. She nods a horrified acquiescence._ Miss Gilpin _leaves her and goes into the office, rear._)

MURRAY (_as_ Eileen _comes back. Noticing her perturbation. Kindly_).

Well? Now, what's the trouble?

EILEEN (_her lips trembling_). She told me I mustn't forget to s.h.i.+eld my mouth with my handkerchief when I cough.

MURRAY (_consolingly_). Yes, that's one of the rules, you know.

EILEEN (_falteringly_). She said they'd give me--a--cup to carry around--(_She stops, shuddering._)

MURRAY (_easily_). It's not as horrible as it sounds. They're only little paste-board things you carry in your pocket.

EILEEN (_as if speaking to herself_). It's so horrible (_She holds out her hand to_ Murray.) I'm to go to my room now. Good night, Mr. Murray.

MURRAY (_holding her hand for a moment--earnestly_). Don't mind your first impressions here. You'll look on everything as a matter of course in a few days. I felt your way at first. (_He drops her hand and shakes his finger at her._) Mind your guardian, now! (_She forces a trembling smile._) See you at breakfast. Good night.

(Eileen _goes out to the hall in rear._ Miss Howard _comes in from the door just after her, carrying a gla.s.s of milk._)

MISS HOWARD. Almost bedtime, Mr. Murray. Here's your diet. (_He takes the gla.s.s. She smiles at him provokingly._) Well, is it love at first sight, Mr. Murray?

MURRAY (_with a grin_). Sure thing! You can consider yourself heartlessly jilted. (_He turns and raises his gla.s.s towards the door through which_ Eileen _has just gone, as if toasting her._)

"A gla.s.s of milk, and thou Coughing beside me in the wilderness-- Ah--wilderness were Paradise enow!"

(_He takes a sip of milk._)

MISS HOWARD (_peevishly_). That's old stuff, Mr. Murray. A patient at Saranac wrote that parody.

MURRAY (_maliciously_). Aha, you've discovered it's a parody, have you, you sly minx! (Miss Howard _turns from him huffily and walks back towards the office, her chin in the air._)

THE CURTAIN FALLS

Act Two