MAGGIE. I thought we'd just drop in. Vickey, what's this that Mr. Beenstock's telling me about you and him? VICKEY (_sullenly_). If he's told you I suppose you know. FREDDY (L. _of counter, smilingly_). She got it out of me, Vickey. VICKEY. I don't know that it's any business of yours, Maggie. (_The positions now are_ VICKEY R., MAGGIE R. C., FREDDY C., WILL _up_ L. C., ALICE _down_ L. C.) MAGGIE. You'll never get no farther with it by yourselves from what I hear of father's carryings-on. VICKEY. That's your fault. Yours and his. (_Moving behind counter and indicating_ WILLIE, _who is trying to efface himself at the back_.) MAGGIE (_sharply_). Leave that alone. I'm here to help you if you'll have my help. (VICKEY _would say "No" but--_) FREDDY. It's very good of you, Miss Maggie, I must say. Your father has turned very awkward. MAGGIE. I reckon he'll change. Has your young man been in yet this morning, Alice? (_Moves to desk_.) (FREDDY _moves to_ VICKEY _and leaning across the counter carries on a mild flirtation with her_.) ALICE (_indignantly_). My young-- MAGGIE. Albert Prosser. ALICE. No. MAGGIE. Do you expect him? ALICE. He's not been here so often since you and Willie Mossop got-- MAGGIE (_sharply_). Since when? ALICE. Since you made him buy that pair of boots he didn't want. MAGGIE (_moving_ C.). I see. He didn't like paying for taking his pleasure in our shop. Well, if he's not expected, somebody must go for him. Prosser, Pilkington & Prosser, Solicitors of Bexley Square. That's right, isn't it? ALICE. Yes. Albert's "and Prosser." MAGGIE (_moving up stage_ R.). Aye? Quite a big man in his way. Then, will you go and fetch him, Mr. Beenstock? Tell him to bring the paper with him. VICKEY (_dropping down_ R., _indignantly_). You're ordering folk about a bit. MAGGIE. I'm used to it. FREDDY. It's all right, Vickey. ALICE. Is it? Suppose father comes in and finds Albert and Freddy here? MAGGIE. He won't. ALICE. He's beyond his time already. MAGGIE. I know. You must have worried father very badly since I went, Alice. (_Goes to_ ALICE, L.) ALICE. Why? MAGGIE. Tell them, Mr. Beenstock. FREDDY. Well, the fact is, Mr. Hobson won't come because he's at our place just now. VICKEY. At your corn warehouse? What's father doing there? FREDDY. He's--he's sleeping, Vickey. ALICE. Sleeping? (WILLIE _sits on a chair in front of the counter_.) FREDDY. You see, we've a cellar trap in our place that opens in the pavement and your father--wasn't looking very carefully where he was going and he fell into it. VICKEY. Fell? Is father hurt? (_Up to_ FREDDY.) FREDDY. He's snoring very loudly, but he isn't hurt. He fell soft on some bags. MAGGIE. Now you can go for Albert Prosser. (FREDDY _moves to doors_. L.) ALICE. Is that all we're to be told? MAGGIE. It's all there is to tell till Freddy's seen his solicitor. FREDDY (_to_ VICKEY). I'll not be long. MAGGIE. Don't. I've a job here for you when you get back.