Sit down. We've had enough of speeches. I know men fancy
themselves when they're talking, but you've had one turn and you
needn't start again.
ALBERT. But we ought to thank him, Alice.
ALICE. I dare say. But you'll not speak as well as he did, so we
can leave it with a good wind-up. I'm free to own you took me by
surprise, Will.
FREDDY. Very neat speech indeed. (_Rising_.)
VICKEY. Who taught you, Will?
WILLIE. I've been learning a lot lately.
ALICE. I thought that speech never came natural from Will.
MAGGIE. I'm educating him.
FREDDY. Very apt pupil, I must say.
MAGGIE. He'll do. Another twenty years and I know which of you
three men 'ull be thought most of at the Bank.
FREDDY. That's looking ahead a bit.
MAGGIE. I'll admit it needs imagination to see it now.
ALBERT (_rising and moving slightly_ C.). Well, the start's
all right, you know. Snug little rooms. Shop of your own. And so
on. I was wondering where you raised the capital for this,
Maggie.
MAGGIE. I? You mustn't call it my shop. It's his.
ALICE. Do you mean to tell me that Willie found the capital?
MAGGIE. He's the saving sort.
ALICE. He must be if you've done this out of what father used to
pay him.
MAGGIE. Well, we haven't.
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