ALBERT (_sitting in arm-chair_ R. C.) Yes, but-- (MAGGIE _is on her knees and takes off his boot_.) MAGGIE. It's time you had a new pair. These uppers are disgraceful for a professional man to wear. Number eights from the third rack, Vickey, please. ALICE (_moving down a little_). Mr. Prosser didn't come in to buy boots, Maggie. (VICKEY _comes down to_ MAGGIE _with box which she opens_.) MAGGIE. I wonder what does bring him in here so often! (ALICE _moves back to behind counter_.) ALBERT. I'm terrible hard on bootlaces, Miss Hobson. (MAGGIE _puts a new boot on him and laces it_.) MAGGIE. Do you get through a pair a day? You must be strong. ALBERT. I keep a little stock of them. It's as well to be prepared for accidents. MAGGIE. And now you'll have boots to go with the laces, Mr. Prosser. How does that feel? ALBERT. Very comfortable. MAGGIE. Try it standing up. ALBERT (_trying and walking a few steps_). Yes, that fits all right. MAGGIE. I'll put the other on. ALBERT. Oh no, I really don't want to buy them. MAGGIE (_pushing him_). Sit down, Mr. Prosser. You can't go through the streets in odd boots. (ALICE _comes down again_.) ALBERT. What's the price of these? MAGGIE. A pound. ALBERT. A pound! I say-- MAGGIE. They're good boots, and you don't need to buy a pair of laces to-day, because we give them in as discount. (VICKEY _goes back to counter_.) Braid laces, that is. Of course, if you want leather ones, you being so strong in the arm and breaking so many pairs, you can have them, only it's tuppence more. ALBERT. These--these will do. MAGGIE. Very well, you'd better have the old pair mended and I'll send them home to you with the bill. (_She has laced the second boot, rises, and moves towards desk_ L., _throwing the boot box at_ VICKEY, _who gives a little scream at the interruption of her reading_. ALBERT _gasps_.) ALBERT. Well, if anyone had told me I was coming in here to spend a pound I'd have called him crazy. MAGGIE. It's not wasted. Those boots will last. Good morning, Mr. Prosser. (_She holds door open_.) ALBERT. Good morning. (_He looks blankly at_ ALICE _and goes out_.) ALICE. Maggie, we know you're a pushing sales-woman, but-- MAGGIE (_returning to_ R. _she picks up old boots and puts them on rack up_ R.). It'll teach him to keep out of here a bit. He's too much time on his hands. ALICE. You know why he comes. MAGGIE. I know it's time he paid a rent for coming. A pair of laces a day's not half enough. Coming here to make sheep's eyes at you. I'm sick of the sight of him. (_Crosses in front of counter to_ L.) ALICE. It's all very well for an old maid like you to talk, but if father won't have us go courting, where else can Albert meet me except here when father's out? MAGGIE. If he wants to marry you why doesn't he do it? ALICE. Courting must come first.