ALBERT. But I wish to remind you, in your own interests, that abuse of a lawyer is remembered in the costs. Now, my client tells me he is prepared to settle this matter out of court. Personally, I don't advise him to, because we should probably get higher damages in court. But Mr. Beenstock has no desire to be vindictive. He remembers your position, your reputation for respectability, and-- HOBSON. How much? ALBERT. Er--I beg your pardon? HOBSON. I'm not so fond of the sound of your voice as you are. What's the figure? ALBERT. The sum we propose, which will include my ordinary costs, but not any additional costs incurred by your use of defamatory language to me, is one thousand pounds. HOBSON. What! MAGGIE. It isn't. HOBSON. One thousand pounds for tumbling down a cellar! Why, I might have broken my leg. (_Moves away to_ R.) ALBERT. That is in the nature of an admission, Mr. Hobson. Our flour bags saved your legs from fracture and I am therefore inclined to add to the sum I have stated a reasonable estimate of the doctor's bill we have saved you by protecting your legs with our bags. (_Turns towards_ FREDDY.) (HOBSON _sits_ R.) MAGGIE. Eh, Albert Prosser, I can see you're going to get on in the world, but you needn't be greedy here. That one thousand's too much. (_Comes_ C.) ALBERT. We thought-- MAGGIE. Then you can think again. FREDDY. But-- MAGGIE. If there are any more signs of greediness from you two, there'll be a counter-action for personal damages due to your criminal carelessness in leaving your cellar flap open. HOBSON. (_rising_). Maggie, you've saved me. I'll bring that action. I'll show them up. MAGGIE. You're not damaged, and one lawyer's quite enough. But he'll be more reasonable now. I know perfectly well what father can afford to pay, and it's not a thousand pounds nor anything like a thousand pounds. HOBSON. Not so much of your can't afford, Maggie. You'll make me out a pauper. MAGGIE (_turns to HOBSON_). You can afford 500 pounds and you're going to pay 500 pounds. HOBSON. Oh, but... there's a difference between affording and paying. MAGGIE. You can go to the courts and be reported in the papers if you like. (_Moves to above table_, R.C.) HOBSON. It's the principle I care about. I'm being beaten by a lawyer. VICKEY (_going to_ HOBSON). Father, dear, how can you be beaten when they wanted a thousand pounds and you're only going to give 500 pounds? HOBSON. I hadn't thought of that. VICKEY. It's they who are beaten. HOBSON. I'd take a good few beatings myself at the price, Vickey. Still, I want this keeping out of court. ALBERT. Then we can take it as settled? HOBSON. Do you want to see the money before you believe me? Is that your nasty lawyer's way? ALBERT. Not at all, Mr. Hobson. Your word is as good as your bond. (_Moves back_ L.) VICKEY. It's settled! It's settled! Hurrah! Hurrah! (_Moves_ L. _to_ FREDDY.)