ACT II

_A month later. The shop as Act I. It is about mid-day_.
ALICE _is in_ MAGGIE'S _chair at the desk, some ledgers in
front of her, and_ VICKEY _is reading behind the counter.
The trap is open and_ TUBBY _stands near the desk by_
ALICE.

ALICE. I'm sure I don't know what to tell you to do, Tubby.

TUBBY. There's nothing in at all to start on, Miss Alice. We're
worked up.

ALICE. Well, father's out and I can't help you.

TUBBY. He'll play old Harry if he comes in and finds us doing
nowt in the workroom.

VICKEY. Then do something. We're not stopping you. (_Rises and
moves over to_ R.)

TUBBY (_turning on her_). You're not telling me neither. And
I'm supposed to take my orders from the shop.

ALICE. I don't know what to tell you. Nobody seems to want any
boots made.

TUBBY. The high-class trade has dropped like a stone this last