g. Then I'll know something definite when I
come to see your daughter in the afternoon.

CARMODY (_darkly_). You'll be comin' again tomorrow? (_Half to
himself._) Leave it to the likes of you to be drainin' a man dry.

(Gaynor _has gone out to the hall in rear and does not hear this last
remark. There is a loud knock from the outside door. The Doctor comes
back into the room carrying his hat and overcoat._)

GAYNOR. There's someone knocking.

CARMODY. Who'll it be? Ah, it's Fred Nicholls, maybe. (_In a low voice
to_ Gaynor _who has started to put on his overcoat._) Eileen's young
man, Doctor, that she's engaged to marry, as you might say.

GAYNOR (_thoughtfully_). H'mm--yes--she spoke of him.

(_As another knock sounds_ Carmody _hurries to the rear._ Gaynor,
_after a moments indecision, takes off his overcoat again and
sits down. A moment later_ Carmody _re-enters, followed by_ Fred
Nicholls, _who has left his overcoat and hat in the hallway._
Nicholls _is a young fellow of twenty-three, stockily built,
fair-haired, handsome in a commonplace, conventional mould. His
manner is obviously an attempt at suave gentility; he has an
easy, taking smile and a ready laugh, but there is a petty,
calculating expression in his small, observing, blue eyes. His
well-fitting, ready-made clothes are carefully pressed. His whole
get-up suggests an attitude of man-about-small-town
complacency._)

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