IN (_gravely_). She's been going down hill
steadily--(_meaningly_)--ever since you left. She's in a very serious
state, let me impress you with that. We've all loved her, and felt so
sorry for her and admired her spirit so--that's the only reason she's
been allowed to stay here so long after her time. We've kept hoping
she'd start to pick up--in another day--in another week. But now that's
all over. Doctor Stanton has given up hope of her improving here, and
her father is unwilling to pay for her elsewhere now he knows there's a
cheaper place--the State Farm. So she's to be sent there in a day or
so.

MURRAY (_springing to his feet--horrified_). To the State Farm!

MISS GILPIN. Her time here is long past. You know the rule--and she
isn't getting better.

MURRAY (_appalled_). That means----!

MISS GILPIN (_forcibly_). Death! That's what it means for her!

MURRAY (_stunned_). Good God, I never dreamed----

MISS GILPIN. With others it might be different. They might improve
under changed surroundings. In her case, it's certain. She'll die. And
it wouldn't do any good to keep her here, either. She'd die here.
She'll die anywhere. She'll die because lately she's given up hope, she
hasn't wanted to live any more. She's let herself go--and now it's too
late.

MURRAY. Too late? You mean there's no chance--now? (Miss Gilpin _nods._
Murray _is overwhelmed--after a pause--stammering._) Isn't
there--anything--we can do?

MISS GILPIN (_sadly_). I don't know. I should have talked to you before
you---- You see, she's seen you now. She knows. (_As he looks mystified
she continues slowly._) I suppose you know that Eileen loves you, don't
you?

MURRAY (_as if defending himself against an accusation--with confused
alarm_). No--Miss Gilpin. You're wrong, honestly. She may have felt
something like that--once--but that was long ago before I left the San.
She's forgotten all about it since, I know she has. (Miss Gilpin
_smiles bitterly._) Why, she never even alluded to it in any of her
letters--all these months.

MISS GILPIN. Did you in yours?

MURRAY. No, of course not. You don't understand. Why--just now--she
said that part of it had all been so silly she felt she'd acted like a
fool and didn't ever want to be reminded of it.

MISS GILPIN. She saw that you didn't love her--any more than you did in
the days before you left. Oh, I used to watch you then. I sensed what
was going on between you. I would have stopped it then out o