es at him it is with hatred and angry disgust._)

MISS GILPIN (_indicating the chairs in front of the windows on the
left, forward_). Won't you gentlemen sit down? (Carmody _grunts
sullenly and plumps himself into the one nearest the door._ Nicholls
_hesitates, glancing down at the suit-case he carries._ Miss Gilpin
_turns to_ Eileen.) And now we'll get you settled immediately. Your
room is all ready for you. If you'll follow me---- (_She turns toward
the door in rear, centre._)

EILEEN. Let me take the suit-case now, Fred.

MISS GILPIN (_as he is about to hand it to her--decisively_). No, my
dear, you mustn't. Put the case right down there, Mr. Nicholls. I'll
have it taken to Miss Carmody's room in a moment. (_She shakes her
finger at_ Eileen _with kindly admonition._) That's the first rule
you'll have to learn. Never exert yourself or tax your strength. It's
very important. You'll find laziness is a virtue instead of a vice with
us.

EILEEN (_confused_). I--I didn't know----

MISS GILPIN (_smiling_). Of course you didn't. And now if you'll come
with me I'll show you your room. We'll have a little chat there and I
can explain all the other important rules in a second. The gentlemen
can make themselves comfortable in the meantime. We won't be gone more
than a moment.

NICHOLLS (_feeling called upon to say something_). Yes--we'll
wait--certainly, we're all right.

(Carmody _remains silent, glowering at the fire._ Nicholls _sits
down beside him._ Miss Gilpin _and_ Eileen _go out._ Murray
_switches his chair so that he can observe the two men out of the
corner of his eye while pretending to be absorbed in his book._)

CARMODY (_looking about shiftily and reaching for the inside pocket of
his overcoat_). I'll be havin' a nip now we're alone, and that cacklin'
hen gone. I'm feelin' sick in the pit of the stomach. (_He pulls out a
pint flask, half full._)

NICHOLLS (_excitedly_). For God's sake, don't! Put that bottle away!
(_In a whisper._) Don't you see that fellow in the chair there?

CARMODY (_taking a big drink_). Ah, I'm not mindin' a man at all. Sure
I'll bet it's himself would be likin' a taste of the same. (_He appears
about to get up and invite_ Murray _to join him, but_ Nicholls _grabs
his arm._)

NICHOLLS (_with a frightened look at_ Murray _who appears buried in his
book_). Stop it, you---- Don't you know he's probably a patient and
they don't allow them----

CARMODY (_scor