[Below, the AUCTIONEER and SOLICITOR take up their papers, and move out Left.] [HILLCRIST stretches himself, standing up, as if to throw off the strain. The door behind is opened, and HORNBLOWER appears.] HORNBLOWER. Ye ran me up a pretty price. Ye bid very pluckily, Hillcrist. But ye didn't quite get my measure. HILLCRIST. Oh! It was my nine thousand the Duke capped. Thank God, the Centry's gone to a gentleman! HORNBLOWER. The Duke? [He laughs] No, the Gentry's not gone to a gentleman, nor to a fool. It's gone to me. HILLCRIST. What! HOUNBLOWER. I'm sorry for ye; ye're not fit to manage these things. Well, it's a monstrous price, and I've had to pay it because of your obstinacy. I shan't forget that when I come to build. HILLCRIST. D'you mean to say that bid was for you? HORNBLOWER. Of course I do. I told ye I was a bad man to be up against. Perhaps ye'll believe me now. HILLCRIST. A dastardly trick! HORNBLOWER. [With venom] What did ye call it--a skin game? Remember we're playin' a skin game, Hillcrist. HILLCRIST. [Clenching his fists] If we were younger men---- HORNBLOWER. Ay! 'Twouldn't Look pretty for us to be at fisticuffs. We'll leave the fightin' to the young ones. [He glances at ROLF and JILL; suddenly throwing out his finger at ROLF] No makin' up to that young woman! I've watched ye. And as for you, missy, you leave my boy alone. JILL. [With suppressed passion] Dodo, may I spit in his eye or something? HILLCRIST. Sit down. [JILL sits down. He stands between her and HORNBLOWER.] [Yu've won this round, sir, by a foul blow. We shall see whether you can take any advantage of it. I believe the law can stop you ruining my property.] HORNBLOWER. Make your mind easy; it can't. I've got ye in a noose, and I'm goin' to hang ye. MRS. H. [Suddenly] Mr. Hornblower, as you fight foul--so shall we. HILLCRIST. Amy! MRS. H. [Paying no attention] And it will not be foul play towards you and yours. You are outside the pale. HORNBLOWER. That's just where I am, outside your pale all round ye. Ye're not long for Deepwater, ma'am. Make your dispositions to go; ye'll be out in six months, I prophesy. And good riddance to the neighbourhood. [They are all down on the level now.] CHLOE. [Suddenly coming closer to MRS. HILLCRIST] Here are your salts, thank you. Father, can't you----? HORNBLOWER. [Surprised] Can't I what? CHLOE. Can't you come to an arrangement? MRS. H. Just so, Mr. Hornblower. Can't you? HORNBLOWER. [Looking from one to the other] As we're speakin' out, ma'am, it's your behaviour to my daughter-in-law--who's as good as you--and better, to my thinking--that's more than half the reason why I've bought this property. Ye've fair got my dander up. Now it's no use to bandy words. It's very forgivin' of ye, Chloe, but come along! MRS. H. Quite seriously, Mr. Hornblower, you had better come to an arrangement.