WILLIE. That's so. But if I'm to come into a thing I like to know what I'm coming into. ALICE. That's never Willie Mossop. VICKEY (_still by door_). Are you coming into this? (WILL _enters_ L. MAGGIE _follows him. He is not aggressive, but he is prosperous and has self-confidence. Against_ ALICE _and_ VICKEY _he is consciously on his mettle_.) WILLIE. That's the proposal, isn't it? VICKEY (C.). I didn't know it was. WILLIE. Now, then, Maggie, go and bring your father down and be sharp. I'm busy at my shop, so what they are at his. (MAGGIE _takes_ WILL'S _hat off and puts it on settee, then exits up_ R.) It's been a good business in its day, too, has Hobson's. ALICE. What on earth do you mean? It's a good business still. WILLIE. You try to sell it, and you'd learn. Stock and goodwill 'ud fetch about two hundred. (_Goes_ C.) VICKEY. Don't talk so foolish, Will. Two hundred for a business like father's! WILLIE. Two hundred as it is. Not as it was in our time, Vickey. ALICE. Do you mean to tell me father isn't rich? WILLIE. If you'd not married into the law you'd know what they think of your father to-day in trading circles. Vickey ought to know. Her husband's in trade. VICKEY (_indignantly_). My Fred in trade! WILLIE. Isn't he? VICKEY. He's in the wholesale. That's business, not trade. And the value of father's shop is no affair of yours, Will Mossop. (_Moves_ L.) WILLIE. Now I thought maybe it was. If Maggie and me are coming here-- VICKEY. You're coming to look after father. WILLIE. Maggie can do that with one hand tied behind her back. I'll look after the business. ALICE. You'll do what's arranged for you. WILLIE. I'll do the arranging, Alice. If we come here, we come here on my terms. VICKEY. They'll be fair terms. WILLIE. I'll see they're fair to me and Maggie. (_Goes_ R.) ALICE. Will Mossop, do you know who you're talking to? WILLIE (_turning_). Aye. My wife's young sisters. Times have changed a bit since you used to order me about this shop, haven't they, Alice? ALICE. Yes. I'm Mrs. Albert Prosser now. WILLIE. So you are, to outsiders. And you'd be surprised the number of people that call me Mr. Mossop now. We do get on in the world, don't we? (ALICE _moves up stage_.) VICKEY. Some folks get on too fast. WILLIE. It's a matter of opinion. (_Coming_ C.) I know Maggie and me gave both of you a big leg up when we arranged your marriage portions, but I dunno that we're grudging you the sudden lift you got. (_Enter_ HOBSON _and_ MAGGIE.) WILLIE. Good morning, father. I'm sorry to hear you're not so well. HOBSON. I'm a changed man, Will. (_He comes down and sits on arm-chair_, R.) WILLIE. There used to be room for improvement. HOBSON. What! (_He starts up_.) MAGGIE. Sit down, father. WILLIE (_sitting_ R. _of table_). Aye. Don't let us be too long about this. You've kept me waiting now a good while and my time's valuable. I'm busy at my shop. HOBSON. Is your shop more important than my life?