Hobsons Choice | Page 7

MAGGIE (dropping his hands.) And needed none. You're a natural
born genius at making boots. It's a pity you're a natural fool at all else.
WILLIE. I'm not much good at owt but leather, and that's a fact.
MAGGIE. When are you going to leave Hobson's?
WILLIE. Leave Hobson's? I--I thought I gave satisfaction.
MAGGIE. Don't you want to leave?
WILLIE. Not me. I've been at Hobson's all my life, and I'm not for
leaving till I'm made.
MAGGIE. I said you were a fool.
WILLIE. Then I'm a loyal fool.
MAGGIE. Don't you want to get on, Will Mossop? You heard what
Mrs. Hepworth said. You know the wages you get and you know the
wages a bootmaker like you could get in one of the big shops in
Manchester.
WILLIE. Nay, I'd be feared to go in them fine places.
MAGGIE. What keeps you here? Is it the--the people?
WILLIE. I dunno what it is. I'm used to being here.

MAGGIE. Do you know what keeps this business on its legs? Two
things: one's the good boots you make that sell themselves, the other's
the bad boots other people make and I sell. We're a pair, Will Mossop.
WILLIE. You're a wonder in the shop, Miss Maggie.
MAGGIE. And you're a marvel in the workshop. Well?
WILLIE. Well, what?
MAGGIE. It seems to me to point one way.
WILLIE. What way is that?
MAGGIE. You're leaving me to do the work, my lad.
WILLIE. I'll be getting back to my stool, Miss Maggie. (Moves to
trap.)
MAGGIE (stopping him). You'll go back when I've done with you. I've
watched you for a long time and everything I've seen, I've liked. I think
you'll do for me.
WILLIE. What way, Miss Maggie?
MAGGIE. Will Mossop, you're my man. Six months I've counted on
you and it's got to come out some time.
WILLIE. But I never--
MAGGIE. I know you never, or it 'ud not be left to me to do the job
like this.
WILLIE. I'll--I'll sit down. (He sits in arm-chair, mopping his brow.)
I'm feeling queer-like. What dost want me for?
MAGGIE. To invest in. You're a business idea in the shape of a man.
WILLIE. I've got no head for business at all.

MAGGIE. But I have. My brain and your hands 'ull make a working
partnership.
WILLIE (getting up, relieved). Partnership! Oh, that's a different thing.
I thought you were axing me to wed you. (Moves up stage.)
MAGGIE. I am.
WILLIE (sitting in front of counter). Well, by gum! And you the
master's daughter.
MAGGIE. Maybe that's why, Will Mossop. (Moving up stage.) Maybe
I've had enough of father, and you're as different from him as any man I
know. (Sits L. of him.)
WILLIE. It's a bit awkward-like.
MAGGIE. And you don't help me any, lad. What's awkward about it?
WILLIE. You talking to me like this.
MAGGIE. I'll tell you something, Will. It's a poor sort of woman who'll
stay lazy when she sees her best chance slipping from her. A Salford
life's too near the bone to lose things through the fear of speaking out.
WILLIE. I'm your best chance?
MAGGIE. You are that, Will.
WILLIE. Well, by gum! (Rises.) I never thought of this.
MAGGIE. Think of it now.
WILLIE. I am doing. Only the blow's a bit too sudden to think very
clear. I've a great respect for you, Miss Maggie. You're a shapely body,
and you're a masterpiece at selling in the shop, but when it comes to
marrying, I'm bound to tell you that I'm none in love with you.
MAGGIE. Wait till you're asked. (Rises.) I want your hand in mine and

your word for it that you'll go through life with me for the best we can
get out of it.
WILLIE. We'd not get much without there's love between us, lass.
MAGGIE. I've got the love all right.
WILLIE. Well, I've not, and that's honest.
MAGGIE. We'll get along without.
WILLIE. You're desperate set on this. It's a puzzle to me all ways.
What 'ud your father say?
MAGGIE. He'll say a lot, and he can say it. It'll make no difference to
me.
WILLIE. Much better not upset him. It's not worth while.
MAGGIE. I'm judge of that. You're going to wed me, Will.
WILLIE. Oh, nay, I'm not. Really I can't do that, Maggie. I can see that
I'm disturbing your arrangements like, but I'll be obliged if you'll put
this notion from you.
MAGGIE. When I make arrangements, my lad, they're not made for
upsetting.
WILLIE. What makes it so desperate awkward is that I'm tokened.
MAGGIE. You're what?
WILLIE. I'm tokened to Ada Figgins.
MAGGIE. Then you'll get loose and quick. Who's Ada Figgins? Do I
know her? (Moves L. and turns.)