me except here when father's out?

MAGGIE. If he wants to marry you why doesn't he do it?

ALICE. Courting must come first.

MAGGIE. It needn't. (_She picks up a slipper on desk_ L.).
See that slipper with a fancy buckle on to make it pretty?
Courting's like that, my lass. All glitter and no use to nobody.
(_She replaces slipper and sits at her desk_.)

(HENRY HORATIO HOBSON _enters from the house. He is fifty-five,
successful, coarse, florid, and a parent of the period. His hat
is on. It is one of those felt hats which are half-way to tall
hats in shape. He has a heavy gold chain and masonic emblems on
it. His clothes are bought to wear_.)

HOBSON. Maggie, I'm just going out for a quarter of an hour.
(_Moves over to doors_ L.)

MAGGIE. Yes, father. Don't be late for dinner. There's liver.

HOBSON. It's an hour off dinner-time. (_Going_.)

MAGGIE. So that, if you stay more than an hour in the Moonraker's
Inn, you'll be late for it.

HOBSON. "Moonraker's?" Who said--? (_Turning_.)

VICKEY. If your dinner's ruined, it'll be your own fault.