Books: Hobson's Choice

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WILLIE. It wasn't my fault, Miss Vickey, really it wasn't.

MAGGIE. You call her Vickey, Will.

VICKEY. No, he doesn't. (_Drops down stage_ R.)

MAGGIE. He's in the family or going to be. And I'll tell you
this. If you want your Freddy, and if you want your Albert,
you'll be respectful to my Willie.

ALICE. Willie Mossop was our boot hand.

MAGGIE. He was, and you'll let bygones be bygones. He's as good
as you are now, and better.

WILLIE. Nay, come, Maggie--

MAGGIE. Better, I say. They're shop assistants. You're your own
master, aren't you?

WILLIE. I've got my name wrote up on the windows, but I dunno so
much about being master.

MAGGIE (_producing card and moving down_ L. _to_ ALICE).
That's his business card, William Mossop, Practical Boot and Shoe
Maker, 39a, Oldfield Road, Salford. William Mossop, Master
Bootmaker! That's the man you're privileged to call by his
Christian name. Aye, and I'll do more for you than let you call
him in his name. Yon can both of you kiss him for your brother-
in-law to be.

WILLIE (_rising_). Nay, Maggie, I'm no great hand at kissing.

(VICKEY _and_ ALICE _are much annoyed_.)

MAGGIE (_dryly_). I've noticed that. A bit of practice will
do you no harm. Come along, Vickey.

ALICE (_interposing_). But, Maggie ... a shop of your own--

MAGGIE (_grimly_). I'm waiting, Vickey.

WILLIE. I don't see that you ought to drive her to it, Maggie.

MAGGIE. You hold your hush. (_Crosses_ R. _to_ VICKEY.)

ALICE. But however did you manage it? Where did the capital come
from?

MAGGIE. It came. Will, stand still. She's making up her mind to
it.

WILLIE. I'd just as lief not put her to the trouble.

MAGGIE. You'll take your proper place in this family, my lad,
trouble or no trouble.

VICKEY. I don't see why you should always get your way.

MAGGIE. It's just a habit. Come along now, Vickey, I've a lot to
do to-day and you're holding everything back.

VICKEY. It's under protest.

MAGGIE. Protest, but kiss.

(VICKEY _goes to and kisses_ WILL, _who finds he rather
likes it. She moves back_ R., _then goes up to case up_
R. _and starts dusting furiously_.)

Your turn now, Alice.

ALICE. I'll do it if you'll help me with these books, Maggie.

MAGGIE. Books? Father's put you in my place? (_Goes_ L. C.)

ALICE. Yes.

MAGGIE. Then he must take the consequences. Your books aren't my
affair.

ALICE. I think you might help me, Maggie.

(VICKEY _glances back at_ WILL.)

MAGGIE. I'm surprised at you, Alice, I really am, after what
you've just been told. Exposing your books to a rival shop. You
ought to know better. Will's waiting. And you're to kiss him
hearty now.

ALICE. Very well. (_She moves_ C. _and kisses_ WILL,
_then goes back_ L.)

WILLIE. There's more in kissing nice young women than I thought.

MAGGIE. Don't get too fond of it, my lad. (_She goes to him_.)

ALICE. Well, I hope you're satisfied, Maggie. You've got your way
again, and now perhaps you'll tell us if there's anything you
want in this shop.

MAGGIE. Eh? Are you trying to sell me something?

ALICE. I'm asking you, what's your business here?

MAGGIE. I've told you once. Will and me's taking a day off to put
you in the way of getting wed.

VICKEY (_moving to back of counter_). It looks like things
are slow at your new shop if you can walk round in your best
clothes on a working day.

WILLIE. It's not a working day with us. It's a wedding-day.

ALICE. You've been married this morning!

MAGGIE. Not us. (_Goes to_ R.) I'll have my sisters there when
I get wed. It's at one o'clock at St. Philip's. (_Sits_ R.)

VICKEY. But we can't leave the shop to come.

MAGGIE. Why not? Is trade so brisk?

VICKEY. No, but--

(WILLIE _sits in front of counter_.)

MAGGIE. Not so much high-class trade doing with you, eh?

ALICE. I don't see how you knew.

MAGGIE. I'm good at guessing. You'll not miss owt by coming with
us to church, and we'll expect you at home to-night for a
wedding-spread.

VICKEY. It's asking us to approve.

MAGGIE. You have approved. You've kissed the bridegroom and
you'll go along with us. Father's safe where he is. (_Rises and
crosses_ L.)

ALICE. And the shop?

MAGGIE. Tubby can see to the shop. And that reminds me. You
_can_ sell me something. There are some rings in that drawer
there, Vickey.

VICKEY. Brass rings?

MAGGIE. Yes. I want one. That's the size. (_She holds up her
wedding-ring finger and moves to the counter_.)

VICKEY. That! But you're not taking it for--

(VICKEY _puts box of rings on counter_.)

MAGGIE. Yes, I am. Will and me aren't throwing money round, but
we can pay our way. There's fourpence for the ring. Gather it up,
Vickey. (_Putting down money and trying on rings_.)

ALICE. Wedded with a brass ring!

MAGGIE. This one will do. It's a nice fit. Alice, you haven't
entered that sale in your book. No wonder you're worried with the
accounts if that's the way you see to them. (_She comes down_
L. C. and puts ring in her bag_.)

ALICE. I'm a bit too much astonished at you to think about
accounts. A ring out of stock!

MAGGIE. They're always out of some one's stock.

VICKEY. Well, I'd think shame to myself to be married with a ring
like that.

MAGGIE. When folks can't afford the best they have to do without.

VICKEY. I'll take good care I never go without.

MAGGIE. Semi-detached for you, I suppose, and a houseful of new
furniture.

ALICE. Haven't you furnished?

MAGGIE. Partly what. We've made a start at the Flat Iron Market.
(_Sits_ L. _of_ WILLIE.)

ALICE. I'd stay single sooner than have other people's cast-off
sticks in my house. Where's your pride gone to, Maggie?

MAGGIE. I'm not getting wed myself to help the furnishing trade
along. I suppose you'd turn your nose up at second-hand stuff,
too, Vickey?

VICKEY. I'd start properly or not at all. (_Goes to desk_,
L.)

MAGGIE. Then you'll neither of you have any objections to my
clearing out the lumber-room upstairs. (_Rises_.) We brought
a hand-cart round with us. (_Nudges_ WILL.)

(WILL _rises and takes his coat off. He has detachable cuffs
which he places carefully on the arm-chair_.)

VICKEY. You made sure of things.

MAGGIE. Yes. Get upstairs, Will. I told you what to bring.

ALICE. Wait a bit. (_Crosses to_ C.)

MAGGIE. Go on. (_Moves_ R. _slightly_.)

(WILL _goes into the house_.)

ALICE. Let me tell you if you claim the furniture from your old
bedroom--(_up to_ MAGGIE),--that it's my room now, and
you'll not budge a stick of it.

MAGGIE. I expected you'd promote yourself, Alice. But I said
lumber-room. There's a two-three broken chairs in the attic and a
sofa with the springs all gone. You'll not tell me they're of any
use to you.

ALICE. Nor to you, neither.

MAGGIE. Will's handy with his fingers. He'll put in this
afternoon mending them. They'll be secure against you come to sit
on them at supper-time to-night.

VICKEY. And that's the way you're going to live! With cast-off
furniture. (_Moves to window_, L.)

MAGGIE. Aye. In two cellars in Oldfield Road.

VICKEY _and_ ALICE. A cellar!

MAGGIE. _Two_ of 'em, Alice. One to live and work in and the
other to sleep in.

ALICE. Well, it 'ud not suit me.

VICKEY. Nor me.

MAGGIE. It suits me fine. And when me and Will are richer than
the lot of you together, it'll be a grand satisfaction to look
back and think about how we were when we began.

(WILL _appears_ R. _with two crippled chairs and begins to
cross the shop_.)

VICKEY (_stopping him_). Just a minute, Will. (_She
examines the chairs_.) These chairs are not so bad.

MAGGIE. You can sit on one to-night and see.

VICKEY. You know, mended up, those chairs would do very well for
my kitchen when I'm wed.

ALICE. Yes, or for mine.

MAGGIE. I reckon my parlour comes afront of your kitchens,
though.

VICKEY. Parlour! I thought you said you'd only one living-room.

MAGGIE. Then it might as well be called a parlour as by any other
name. (_Crosses to doors_, L., _and opens them_.) Put the
chairs on the hand-cart, Will.

(WILL _goes out to street_.)

And as for your kitchens, you've got none yet, and if you want my
plan for you to work, you'll just remember all I'm taking off you
is some crippled stuff that isn't yours and what I'm getting for
you is marriage portions.

ALICE. What? (_Moves to_ C.)

VICKEY. Marriage portions, Maggie!

(FREDDY _re-enters, accompanied by_ ALBERT.)

MAGGIE (_to_ VICKEY _and_ ALICE). You'd better put your
hats on now, or you'll be late at the church. (_Gets
between_ ALICE _and_ VICKEY, C.)

VICKEY. But aren't we to know first--?

MAGGIE (_herding them to_ R. _exit_). You'll know all right.
Be quick with your things now.

(ALICE _and_ VICKEY _go out_ R.)

MAGGIE (_turns_). Good morning, Albert. (_Goes to him_,
L.) Have you got what Freddy asked you for?

ALBERT. Yes, but I'm afraid--

(WILL _re-enters from street, crosses_ R. _and goes
off_.)

MAGGIE. Never mind being afraid. Freddy, I told you I'd a job
here for you. You go upstairs with Will. There's a sofa to come
down. Get your coat off to it. Now, then, Albert.

FREDDY. But--(_Moving over to_ R.)

MAGGIE. I've told you what to do, and you can't do it in your
coat. (_Moves down_ L.) If that sofa isn't here in two
minutes, I'll leave the lot of you to tackle this yourselves and
a nice hash you'll make of it.

(FREDDY _takes his coat off and puts it on a chair in front of
the counter_.)

FREDDY. All right, Maggie.

(FREDDY _goes out_ R., ALBERT _produces blue paper. She
reads_.)

MAGGIE (_sitting in arm-chair_, R. C.). Do you call this
English?

ALBERT (_standing_ L. _of her_). Legal English, Miss
Hobson.

MAGGIE. I thought it weren't the sort we talk in Lancashire. What
is it when you've got behind the whereases and the saids and to
wits?

ALBERT. It's what you told Freddy to instruct me. Action against
Henry Horatio Hobson for trespass on the premises of Jonathan
Beenstock & Co., Corn Merchants, of Chapel Street, Salford, with
damages to certain corn bags caused by falling on them and
further damages claimed for spying on the trade secrets of the
aforesaid J. B. & Co.

MAGGIE. Well, I'll take your word that this means that--I
shouldn't have thought it, but I suppose lawyers are like
doctors. They've each a secret language, of their own so that if
you get a letter from one lawyer you've to take it to another to
get it read, just like a doctor sends you to a chemist with a
rigmarole that no one else can read, so they can charge you what
they like for a drop of coloured water.

ALBERT. I've made this out to your instructions, Miss Hobson, but
I'm far from saying it's good law, and I'd not be keen on going
into court with it.

MAGGIE. Nobody asked you to. It won't come into court.

(WILL _and_ FREDDY _enter C. with a ramshackle horsehair sofa_.)

(_Rises_.) Open that door for them, Albert.

(ALBERT _opens street door. They pass out_.)

What's the time? You can see the clock from there.

ALBERT (_outside street door_). It's a quarter to one.

MAGGIE (_flying to_ R. _door, opening it, and calling_).
Girls, if you're late for my wedding I'll never forgive you.

(_She turns as_ WILL _and_ FREDDY _return_.)

Put your coats on. Now, then, Freddy--(_going_ C.),--you
take that paper and put it on _my_ father in _your_
cellar.

FREDDY. Now?

MAGGIE. Now? Yes, of course now. He might waken any time.

FREDDY. He looked fast enough. Aren't I to come to the church?

MAGGIE. Yes, if you do that quick enough to get there before
we're through.

FREDDY. All right. (_He goes out_ L., _pocketing the
paper_. MAGGIE _follows him to the door_.)

MAGGIE. Now there's that hand-cart. Are we to take it with us?

ALBERT. To church! You can't do that.

WILLIE. I'll take it home. (_Slight move_.)

MAGGIE. And have me waiting for you at the church? That's not
for me, my lad.

ALBERT. You can't very well leave it where it is.

MAGGIE. No. There's only one thing for it. You'll have to take it
to our place, Albert.

ALBERT. Me!

MAGGIE. There's the key. (_Down to_ ALBERT, L., _and hands
it from her bag_.) It's 39a, Oldfield Road.

ALBERT. Yes, but to push a hand-cart through Salford in broad
daylight!

MAGGIE. It won't dirty your collar.

ALBERT. Suppose some of my friends see me?

(_They both move up_ L.)

MAGGIE. Look here, my lad, if you're too proud to do a job like
that, you're not the husband for my sister.

ALBERT. It's the look of the thing. Can't you send somebody from
here?

MAGGIE. No. You can think it over. (_She raises trap_.)
Tubby!

TUBBY (_below_). Yes, Miss. (_He appears half-way up
trap_.)
Why, it's Miss Maggie!

MAGGIE. Come up, Tubby. You're in charge of the shop. We'll all
be out for awhile.

TUBBY. I'll be up in half a minute, Miss Maggie. (_He goes down
and closes trap_.)

MAGGIE. Well, Albert Prosser?

ALBERT (_up_ L.). I suppose I must.

MAGGIE. That's right. We'll call it your wedding gift to me, and
I'll allow you're putting yourself out a bit for me.

(_Going with him to the door. He goes. She turns and comes
to_ C.)

Well, Will, you've not had much to say for yourself to-day. Howst
feeling, lad?

WILLIE. I'm going through with it, Maggie.

MAGGIE. Eh?

WILLIE. My mind's made up. I've got wrought up to point. I'm
ready.

MAGGIE. It's church we're going to, not the dentist's.

WILLIE. I know. You get rid of summat at dentist's, but it's
taking summat on to go to church with a wench, and the Lord knows
what.

MAGGIE. Sithee, Will, I've a respect for church. Yon's not the
place for lies. The parson's going to ask you will you have me
and you'll either answer truthfully or not at all. If you're not
willing, just say so now, and--

WILLIE. I'll tell him "yea".

MAGGIE. And truthfully?

WILLIE. Yes, Maggie. I'm resigned. You're growing on me, lass.
I'll toe the line with you.

(ALICE _and_ VICKEY _enter_ R. _in their Sunday clothes--the
same at which_ HOBSON _grew indignant in Act I_. MAGGIE
_takes_ WILLIE _across to_ L.)

ALICE. We're ready, Maggie.

MAGGIE. And time you were. It's not your weddings that you're
dressing for. (_By trap_.) Come up, Tubby, and keep an eye
on things.

VICKEY. (_to_ WILL). Will, have you got the ring?

MAGGIE. I have. Do you think I'd trust him to remember?

(MAGGIE _goes off with_ WILL. VICKEY _and_ ALICE _are
following, laughing_. TUBBY _comes up trap and throws old
shoes after them_.)

CURTAIN.

[Illustration] Reddish brick walls. Plaster falling off in
places. Very old square carpet. Fire burning. No ornaments. Tin
box on mantelpiece. A few plates, workbasket and tin boxes on
dresser. Shoes, clogs on top of dresser. Old coloured tablecloth
on table. Roll of leather, etc., at table behind screen. Three
hat pegs on wall above fireplace. Lamp on mantelpiece.

ACT III

_The cellar in Oldfield Road is at once workroom, shop, and
living-room. It is entered from the_ R. _corner by a door at the
top of a flight of some seven stairs. Its three windows are high
up at the back--not shop windows, but simply to give light. Each
window has on it "William Mossop, Practical Bootmaker," reversed
as seen from the inside and is illuminated dimly from outside by
a neighbouring street lamp.

A door_ L. _leads to the bedroom. Up stage_ L. _is a small
screen or partition whose purpose is to conceal the sink. A
shoemaker's bench, leather and tackle are against the wall_,
R., _above the fire-place. Below the door_, L., _is a small
dresser. Table_ R. C. _Seating accommodation consists solely
of the sofa and the two chairs taken from_ HOBSON'S, _now
repaired. The sofa is_ L. _of the table, the two chairs_ R.
_Crowded on the sofa are, in order, from down up,_ ALBERT,
ALICE, VICKEY, FRED.

_As the curtain rises, the four are standing, tea-cups in
hand, saying together "The Bride and Bridegroom." They drink and
sit. General laughter and conversation. On the chair down stage
is_ MAGGIE. _From the other chair_, C., _behind table_,
WILL _rises, nervously, and rushes his little speech like a child
who has learnt a lesson. The table has hot-house flowers (in a
basin) and the remains of a meal at which tea only has been drunk,
and the feast is represented by the sections of a large pork pie
and a small wedding cake. As_ WILL _rises_, ALBERT _hammers on the
table_.

ALICE _suppresses him_. WILLIE. It's a very great pleasure to
us to see you here to- night. It's an honour you do us, and I
assure you, speaking for my--my wife, as well as for myself,
that the--the--

MAGGIE (_in an undertone_). Generous.

WILLIE. Oh, aye. That's it. That the generous warmth of the
sentiments so cordially expressed by Mr. Beenstock and so
enthusiastically seconded by--no, I've gotten that wrong road
round--expressed by Mr. Prosser and seconded by Mr. Beenstock--
will never be forgotten by either my life partner or self--and--
and I'd like to drink this toast to you in my own house. Our
guests, and may they all be married soon themselves.

MAGGIE (_rising and drinking with_ WILL). Our guests.

(WILL _and_ MAGGIE _sit. General laughter and conversation_.)

ALBERT (_solemnly rising_). In rising to respond--

ALICE (_tugging his coat and putting him into his seat_).
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. Not altogether. We've had help.

ALBERT. Ah!

VICKEY. It's a mystery to me where you got it from.

MAGGIE. Same place as those flowers, Albert.

ALBERT. Hot-house flowers, I see. (_He rises and examines
them_.) I was wondering where they came from.

(VICKEY _and_ FREDDY _smell flowers_.)

MAGGIE. Same place as the money, Albert.

ALBERT. Ah!

ALICE (_rising and following him_, C.). Well, I think we
ought to be getting home, Maggie.

MAGGIE (_rising, as do the rest_. VICKEY _and_ FREDDY
_move up stage_). I shouldn't marvel. I reckon Tubby's a bit
tired of looking after the shop by now, and if father's wakened
up and come in--

ALICE. That's it. I'm a bit nervous.

MAGGIE. He'll have an edge on his temper. Come and put your hats
on.

(_She is going_ L., _with_ ALICE _and_ VICKEY,
_then stops_.)

Willie, we'll need this table when they're gone. You'd better be
clearing the pots away.

WILLIE (_by table_, R.) Yes, Maggie.

(MAGGIE _turns to_ L.)

FREDDY. But--you--

ALBERT. Oh, Lord!

(_They laugh_.)

MAGGIE (_quite calmly_). And you and Fred can just lend him
a hand with the washing up, Albert.

FREDDY. Me wash pots!

VICKEY (_really outraged_). Maggie, we're guests.

MAGGIE. I know. Only Albert laughed at Willie, and washing up
'ull maybe make him think on that it's not allowed.

(_She ushers_ ALICE _and_ VICKEY _out_, L., _and
follows_. WILLIE _begins to put pots on tray which he gets
from behind screen, up_ L.)

ALBERT (_after he and_ FRED _have looked at each other,
then at_ WILL, _then at each other again_). Are you going
to wash up pots?

FREDDY. Are you?

ALBERT. I look at it like this myself. All being well, you and I
are marrying into this family and we know what Maggie is. If we
start giving in to her now, she'll be a nuisance to us all our
lives.

FREDDY. That's right enough, but there's this plan of hers to get
us married. Are you prepared to work it for us?

ALBERT. I'm not. Anything but--

FREDDY. Then till she's done it we're to keep the sweet side of
Maggie.

ALBERT. But, washing pots! (_Moves down_ L.)

(_There is a pause. They look at_ WILL, _who has brought
the tray from behind the screen and is now clearing up the
table_.)

FREDDY. What would you do in our place, Will?

WILLIE. Please yourselves. I'm getting on with what she told me.

FREDDY. You're married to her. We aren't.

ALBERT. What do you need the table for in such a hurry?

WILLIE; Nay, I'm not in any hurry myself.

FREDDY. Maggie wants it for something.

WILLIE. It'll be for my lessons, I reckon. She's schooling me.

FREDDY. And don't you want to learn, then?

WILLIE (_moves_ C.). 'Tisn't that. I--just don't want to be
rude to you--turning you out so early. I don't see you need to go
away so soon. (_Crosses below table_.)

ALBERT. Why not?

WILLIE. I'm fond of a bit of company.

ALBERT. Do you want company on your wedding night?

WILLIE. I don't favour your going so soon. (_Crosses_ C.
_again_.)

FREDDY. He's afraid to be alone with her. That's what it is. He's
shy of his wife.

(_They laugh_.)

WILLIE. That's a fact. I've not been married before, you see.
I've not been left alone with her, either. Up to now she's been
coming round to where I lodged at Tubby Wadlow's to give me my
lessons. It's different now, and I freely own I'm feeling
awkward-like. I'd be deeply obliged if you would stay on a bit to
help to--to thaw the ice for me.

FREDDY. You've been engaged to her, haven't you?

WILLIE. Aye, but it weren't for long. And you see, Maggie's not
the sort you get familiar with.

FREDDY. You had quite long enough to thaw the ice. It's not our
job to do your melting for you. (_Moves away_ R.)

ALBERT. No. Fred, these pots need washing. We will wash them.

(ALBERT _carries tray behind screen. Water runs. He is seen
flourishing towels_. FRED _is following when_ WILLIE
_calls him back and takes tray to table_.)

WILLIE. Fred, would you like it yourself with--with a wench like
Maggie? (_Goes_ R. C.)

FREDDY. That's not the point. It wasn't me she married.

WILLIE. It's that being alone with her that worries me, and I did
think you'd stand by a fellow man to make things not so strange
at first.

ALBERT (_coming down, with a dishcloth_). That's not the way
we look at it. Hurry up with those cups, Fred. (_Goes to_
FRED _up stage_ R.)

(MAGGIE _enters with_ VICKEY _and_ ALICE _in outdoor
clothes_.)

MAGGIE. Have you broken anything yet, Albert?

ALBERT (_indignantly_). Broken? No. (_Takes cup from tray
and wipes it_.)

MAGGIE. Too slow to, I expect.

FREDDY. I must say you don't show much gratitude.

ALBERT. Aren't you at all surprised to find us doing this?

MAGGIE. Surprised? I told you to do it.

FREDDY. Yes, but--(_Takes tray up stage_, L.)

MAGGIE (_taking towel from him_). You can stop now. I'll
finish when you're gone. (_Moves down_ R.)

(_Knock at door upstairs_, R.)

ALICE. Who's that?

MAGGIE. Some one who can't read, I reckon. You hung that card on
door, Will?

WILLIE. Aye, it's there. And you wrote it, Maggie.

MAGGIE. I knew better than to trust to you. "Business suspended
for the day" it says, and they that can't read it can go on
knocking.

HOBSON (_off_ R. _upstairs, after another knock_). Are you
in, Maggie?

VICKEY (_terrified_). It's father!

(_General consternation_.)

ALBERT. Oh, Lord!

MAGGIE. What's the matter? Are you afraid of him?

FREDDY. Well, I think, all things considered, and seeing--

MAGGIE. All right. We'll consider 'em. You can go into the
bedroom, the lot of you.... No, not you, Willie. The rest. I'll
shout when I want you.

ALICE. When he's gone.

MAGGIE. It'll be before he's gone.

(MAGGIE _crosses to_ L. _with them_.)

VICKEY. But we don't want--

MAGGIE. Is this your house or mine?

VICKEY. It's your cellar.

MAGGIE. And I'm in charge of it.

(_The four go into bedroom_. VICKEY _starts to argue_. ALBERT
_opens the door_. VICKEY _and_ ALICE _go out followed by_
FREDDY _and_ ALBERT. VICKEY _is pushed inside_. WILL _is
going to stairs_.) You sit you still, and don't forget you're
gaffer here. I'll open door. (WILLIE _sits in chair above table_.
MAGGIE _goes upstairs and opens the door. Enter_ HOBSON _to
top stair_.)

HOBSON (_with some slight apology_). Well, Maggie.

MAGGIE (_uninvitingly_). Well, father.

HOBSON (_without confidence_). I'll come in.

MAGGIE (_standing in his way_). Well, I don't know. I'll
have to ask the master about that.

HOBSON. Eh? The master?

MAGGIE. You and him didn't part on the best of terms, you
know. (_Over the railings_.) Will, it's my father. Is he to
come in?

WILLIE (_loudly and boldly_). Aye, let him come.

(HOBSON _comes downstairs_. MAGGIE _closes door behind him
and follows_. HOBSON _stares round at the cellar_.)

HOBSON. You don't sound cordial about your invitation, young man.

WILLIE (_rises and goes_ C.). Nay, but I am. (_Shaking
hands for a long time_.) I'm right down glad to see you, Mr.
Hobson. (MAGGIE _comes down_ R.) It makes the wedding-day
complete-like, you being her father and I--I hope you'll see your
way to staying a good long while.

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