ALICE. I think you might help me, Maggie. (VICKEY _glances back at_ WILL.) MAGGIE. I'm surprised at you, Alice, I really am, after what you've just been told. Exposing your books to a rival shop. You ought to know better. Will's waiting. And you're to kiss him hearty now. ALICE. Very well. (_She moves_ C. _and kisses_ WILL, _then goes back_ L.) WILLIE. There's more in kissing nice young women than I thought. MAGGIE. Don't get too fond of it, my lad. (_She goes to him_.) ALICE. Well, I hope you're satisfied, Maggie. You've got your way again, and now perhaps you'll tell us if there's anything you want in this shop. MAGGIE. Eh? Are you trying to sell me something? ALICE. I'm asking you, what's your business here? MAGGIE. I've told you once. Will and me's taking a day off to put you in the way of getting wed. VICKEY (_moving to back of counter_). It looks like things are slow at your new shop if you can walk round in your best clothes on a working day. WILLIE. It's not a working day with us. It's a wedding-day. ALICE. You've been married this morning! MAGGIE. Not us. (_Goes to_ R.) I'll have my sisters there when I get wed. It's at one o'clock at St. Philip's. (_Sits_ R.) VICKEY. But we can't leave the shop to come. MAGGIE. Why not? Is trade so brisk? VICKEY. No, but-- (WILLIE _sits in front of counter_.) MAGGIE. Not so much high-class trade doing with you, eh? ALICE. I don't see how you knew. MAGGIE. I'm good at guessing. You'll not miss owt by coming with us to church, and we'll expect you at home to-night for a wedding-spread. VICKEY. It's asking us to approve. MAGGIE. You have approved. You've kissed the bridegroom and you'll go along with us. Father's safe where he is. (_Rises and crosses_ L.) ALICE. And the shop? MAGGIE. Tubby can see to the shop. And that reminds me. You _can_ sell me something. There are some rings in that drawer there, Vickey. VICKEY. Brass rings? MAGGIE. Yes. I want one. That's the size. (_She holds up her wedding-ring finger and moves to the counter_.) VICKEY. That! But you're not taking it for-- (VICKEY _puts box of rings on counter_.) MAGGIE. Yes, I am. Will and me aren't throwing money round, but we can pay our way. There's fourpence for the ring. Gather it up, Vickey. (_Putting down money and trying on rings_.) ALICE. Wedded with a brass ring! MAGGIE. This one will do. It's a nice fit. Alice, you haven't entered that sale in your book. No wonder you're worried with the accounts if that's the way you see to them. (_She comes down_ L. C. _and puts ring in her bag_.) ALICE. I'm a bit too much astonished at you to think about accounts. A ring out of stock! MAGGIE. They're always out of some one's stock. VICKEY. Well, I'd think shame to myself to be married with a ring like that. MAGGIE. When folks can't afford the best they have to do without. VICKEY. I'll take good care I never go without. MAGGIE. Semi-detached for you, I suppose, and a houseful of new furniture.