Hillcrist. [In a low voice] Jackman!

Hornblower. [Triumphantly] Ye hear that?  That’s your protegee!  Keep out o’ my way, me man, or I’ll put the police on to ye for utterin’ threats.

Hillcrist. You’d better go now, Jackman.

     [The Jackmans move to the door.]

Mrs. J. [Turning] Maybe you’ll repent it some day, sir.

     [They go out, Mrs. Hillcrist following.]

Hornblower.  We-ell, I’m sorry they’re such unreasonable folk.  I never met people with less notion of which side their bread was buttered.

Hillcrist. And I never met anyone so pachydermatous.

Hornblower.  What’s that, in Heaven’s name?  Ye needn’ wrap it up in long words now your good lady’s gone.

Hillcrist. [With dignity] I’m not going in for a slanging match.  I resent your conduct much too deeply.

Hornblower.  Look here, Hillcrist, I don’t object to you personally; ye seem to me a poor creature that’s bound to get left with your gout and your dignity; but of course ye can make yourself very disagreeable before ye’re done.  Now I want to be the movin’ spirit here.  I’m full of plans.  I’m goin’ to stand for Parliament; I’m goin’ to make this a prosperous place.  I’m a good-matured man if you’ll treat me as such.  Now, you take me on as a neighbour and all that, and I’ll manage without chimneys on the Centry.  Is it a bargain? [He holds out his hand.]

Hillcrist. [Ignoring it] I thought you said you didn’t keep your word when it suited you to break it?

Hornblower.  Now, don’t get on the high horse.  You and me could be very good friends; but I can be a very nasty enemy.  The chimneys will not look nice from that windie, ye know.

Hillcrist. [Deeply angry] Mr. Hornblower, if you think I’ll take your hand after this Jackman business, you’re greatly mistaken.  You are proposing that I shall stand in with you while you tyrannise over the neighbourhood.  Please realise that unless you leave those tenancies undisturbed as you said you would, we don’t know each other.

Hornblower.  Well, that won’t trouble me much.  Now, ye’d better think it over; ye’ve got gout and that makes ye hasty.  I tell ye again:  I’m not the man to make an enemy of.  Unless ye’re friendly, sure as I stand here I’ll ruin the look of your place.

     [The toot of a car is heard.]

There’s my car.  I sent Chearlie and his wife in it to buy the Centry.  And make no mistake—­he’s got it in his packet.  It’s your last chance, Hillcrist.  I’m not averse to you as a man; I think ye’re the best of the fossils round here; at least, I think ye can do me the most harm socially.  Come now!

     [He holds out his hand again.]

Hillcrist. Not if you’d bought the Centry ten times over.  Your ways are not mine, and I’ll have nothing to do with you.