STANTON (nods and glances at his book—without raising his voice—distinctly). Mrs. Abner.
(A middle-aged woman comes and gets on the scale. Simms adjusts it to her weight of the previous week, which Stanton reads to him from the book in a low voice, and weighs her.)
MURRAY (with a relieved sigh). They're off. (Noticing Eileen's downcast head and air of dejection.) Here! Buck up, Eileen! Old Lady Grundy's watching you—and it's your turn in a second.
(Eileen raises her head and forces a frightened smile. Mrs. Abner gets down off the scale with a pleased grin. She has evidently gained. She rejoins the group of women, chattering volubly in low tones. Her exultant "gained half a pound" can be heard. The other women smile their perfunctory congratulations, their eyes absent-minded, intent on their own worries. Stanton writes down the weight in the book.)
STANTON. Miss Bailey. (A young girl goes to the scales.)
MURRAY. Bailey looks bad, doesn't she?
EILEEN (her lips trembling). She's been losing, too.
MURRAY. Well, you're going to gain to-day. Remember, now!
EILEEN (with a feeble smile). I'll try to obey your orders.
(Miss Bailey goes down off the scales. Her eyes are full of despondency although she tries to make a brave face of it, forcing a laugh as she joins the women. They stare at her with pitying looks and murmur consoling phrases.)