FREDDY. Then till she's done it we're to keep the sweet side of Maggie. ALBERT. But, washing pots! (_Moves down_ L.) (_There is a pause. They look at_ WILL, _who has brought the tray from behind the screen and is now clearing up the table_.) FREDDY. What would you do in our place, Will? WILLIE. Please yourselves. I'm getting on with what she told me. FREDDY. You're married to her. We aren't. ALBERT. What do you need the table for in such a hurry? WILLIE; Nay, I'm not in any hurry myself. FREDDY. Maggie wants it for something. WILLIE. It'll be for my lessons, I reckon. She's schooling me. FREDDY. And don't you want to learn, then? WILLIE (_moves_ C.). 'Tisn't that. I--just don't want to be rude to you--turning you out so early. I don't see you need to go away so soon. (_Crosses below table_.) ALBERT. Why not? WILLIE. I'm fond of a bit of company. ALBERT. Do you want company on your wedding night? WILLIE. I don't favour your going so soon. (_Crosses_ C. _again_.) FREDDY. He's afraid to be alone with her. That's what it is. He's shy of his wife. (_They laugh_.) WILLIE. That's a fact. I've not been married before, you see. I've not been left alone with her, either. Up to now she's been coming round to where I lodged at Tubby Wadlow's to give me my lessons. It's different now, and I freely own I'm feeling awkward-like. I'd be deeply obliged if you would stay on a bit to help to--to thaw the ice for me. FREDDY. You've been engaged to her, haven't you? WILLIE. Aye, but it weren't for long. And you see, Maggie's not the sort you get familiar with. FREDDY. You had quite long enough to thaw the ice. It's not our job to do your melting for you. (_Moves away_ R.) ALBERT. No. Fred, these pots need washing. We will wash them. (ALBERT _carries tray behind screen. Water runs. He is seen flourishing towels_. FRED _is following when_ WILLIE _calls him back and takes tray to table_.) WILLIE. Fred, would you like it yourself with--with a wench like Maggie? (_Goes_ R. C.) FREDDY. That's not the point. It wasn't me she married. WILLIE. It's that being alone with her that worries me, and I did think you'd stand by a fellow man to make things not so strange at first. ALBERT (_coming down, with a dishcloth_). That's not the way we look at it. Hurry up with those cups, Fred. (_Goes to_ FRED _up stage_ R.) (MAGGIE _enters with_ VICKEY _and_ ALICE _in outdoor clothes_.) MAGGIE. Have you broken anything yet, Albert? ALBERT (_indignantly_). Broken? No. (_Takes cup from tray and wipes it_.) MAGGIE. Too slow to, I expect. FREDDY. I must say you don't show much gratitude. ALBERT. Aren't you at all surprised to find us doing this? MAGGIE. Surprised? I told you to do it. FREDDY. Yes, but--(_Takes tray up stage_, L.) MAGGIE (_taking towel from him_). You can stop now. I'll finish when you're gone. (_Moves down_ R.) (_Knock at door upstairs_, R.) ALICE. Who's that? MAGGIE. Some one who can't read, I reckon. You hung that card on door, Will?