HOBSON (_coming back to sofa and sitting again_). If only it were not a lawyer's office. MAGGIE. You can settle it with the lawyer out of his office. You can settle with him here. (_She goes_ L. _and opens door. Then comes down_ L.) Albert! (_Enter_ ALBERT, _who leaves door open. He comes_ C.) This is Mr. Prosser, of Prosser, Pilkington, and Prosser. HOBSON (_amazed_). He is! MAGGIE. Yes. HOBSON (_incredulously, rising_). You're a lawyer! ALBERT. Yes, I'm a lawyer. HOBSON (_with disgust almost too deep for words_). At your age! MAGGIE (_going up to door_). Come out, all of you. (_She moves to top end of table_.) (_There is reluctance inside, then_ VICKEY, ALICE _and_ FRED _enter and stand in a row_, L.) HOBSON. Alice! Vickey! MAGGIE. Family gathering. This is Mr. Beenstock, of Beenstock & Co. FREDDY. How do you do? HOBSON. What! Here! (_The situation is plainly beyond his mused brain's capacity_.) MAGGIE. When you've got a thing to settle, you need all the parties to be present. HOBSON. But there are so many of them. Where have they all come from? MAGGIE. My bedroom. HOBSON. Your--? Maggie, I wish you'd explain before my brain gives way. MAGGIE. It's quite simple. I got them here because I expected you. HOBSON. You expected me! MAGGIE. Yes. You're in trouble. HOBSON (_shaking his head, then as if finding an outlet, pouncing on_ ALICE). What's it got to do with Alice and Vickey? What are they doing here ? What's happening to the shop? (_Moves_ C.) ALICE. Tubby Wadlow's looking after it. HOBSON. And is it Tubby's job to look after the shop? VICKEY. He'd got no other job. The shop's so slack since Maggie left. HOBSON (_swelling with rage_). And do you run that shop? Do you give orders there? Do you decide when you can put your hats on and walk out of it? MAGGIE. They come out because it's my wedding-day, father. It's reason enough, and Will and me 'ull do the same for them. We'll close the shop and welcome on their wedding-days. HOBSON. Their wedding-days! That's a long time off. It'll be many a year before there's another wedding in this family, I give you my word. (_Turns to_ MAGGIE.) One daughter defying me is quite enough. ALBERT. Hadn't we better get to business, sir? HOBSON (_turning on him_). Young man, don't abuse a noble word. You're a lawyer. By your own admission you're a lawyer. Honest men live by business and lawyers live by law. ALBERT. In this matter, sir, I am following the instructions of my client, Mr. Beenstock, and the remark you have just let fall, before witnesses, appears to me to bear a libellous reflection on the action of my client. HOBSON. What! So it's libel now. Isn't trespass and... and spying on trade secrets enough for you, you blood-sucking--(_To_ ALBERT.) ALBERT. One moment, Mr. Hobson. You can call me what you like-- HOBSON. And I shall. You--