ALICE. Yes, I am, and you know I am, and I'll thank you both to go when he comes.
VICKEY. Well, I'll oblige you, Alice, if father's gone out first, only you know I can't leave the counter till he goes.
(ALBERT PROSSER enters from the street. He is twenty-six, nicely dressed, as the son of an established solicitor would be. He crosses to R. and raises his hat to ALICE.)
ALBERT. Good morning, Miss Alice.
ALICE. Good morning, Mr. Prosser. (She leans across counter.) Father's not gone out yet. He's late.
ALBERT. Oh! (He turns to go, and is half-way to door, when MAGGIE rises.)
MAGGIE (coming C.). What can we do for you, Mr. Prosser?
ALBERT (stopping). Well, I can't say that I came in to buy anything, Miss Hobson.
MAGGIE. This is a shop, you know. We're not here to let people go out without buying.
ALBERT. Well, I'll just have a pair of bootlaces, please. (Moves slightly to R.)