Ste. Well, what about them? More fresh air, less ill health. Less ill health, less poverty. Less poverty, fewer paupers. That recreation ground 'ull pay for itself in less than no time. If there's going to be any barging about the rates we'll raise the money by subscription, and for two pins I'll head the list myself. Al. It's a queer finish to our plans. Ste. It is a finish, Alcorn. We're knocked out, and we've got to take it with a big, broad smile and nobody will even so much as guess we've meant anything but the square thing all the time. Bam. That curate 'ull talk. Curates are always talking. Ste. No, he won't. Bam. You can't stop an old woman gossiping. Gab's a parson's stock-in-trade. Ste. He's no old woman. He's a wide-awake young man and he's going to marry my daughter--if she's free. That'll shut his mouth for him. Smiths. Well, we'll leave that to you, Verity. Ste. You can, safely. Al. It's been a lot of trouble all for nothing. (_Rises; general rise._) Ste. Well, we're good sportsmen, I hope, and the Carrington recreation ground 'ull be an everlasting monument to our civic enterprise and public spirit. Al. Aye, I'm beginning to feel good already. Smiths. It's a disappointment, Verity. Ah, well, we can't win every time. Ste. No. Better luck next time. Good night, Smithson. (_Takes chair up stage._) Smiths. Good night. Good night all. Al. I'm coming your way. Smiths. Come along then. (_Crosses r._) Al. Good night. (_Exeunt Smithson and Alcorn, r._) Bam. I'm glad they've gone. Something to put to you, Verity, private. Ste. About her? Bam. Her? No. I've said my say about that, and you need her to shut the curate's mouth. Ste. I'll shut his mouth without that if you want her. It's a thousand a year, you know. Lucy. The auction recommences, Mr. Bamford. Bam. Don't fret yourself, Miss Verity. I'm not bidding. You've had my last word, Verity. Ste. Well, what's this you want to say? Bam. About me being mayor. That stands, of course? Ste. No, it doesn't. (_Above table._) Bam. But---- Ste. That was a contract made by a company that's wound up. Bam. But, hang it, I'd counted on being mayor. I've mentioned it to one or two. (_Goes above table R._) Ste. All right, then. There's your mayoress. Bam. Is that the price? Ste. There's your mayoress. Lucy. I won't be haggled over. Bam. Miss Verity, it's not you. If I wanted to marry I dunno as I'd look an inch further. It's--I'm not the marrying sort and that's top and bottom of it. Ste. Sam, I'll be mayor myself if it's only for the fun of opening that recreation ground to the public and making a speech about the anxious negotiating the Council had to do before they brought off this great scheme and conferred an inestimable boon on the deserving working classes. Bam. Oh, if you're putting up for mayor, I retire. I can't fight a man of your weight. Ste. Fight be hanged. We're good friends. Bam. Aye. You've got your man in there. Ste. Well! (_Pause._) Yes.