Hobson's Choice Page #7

Can we take it as settled, then?

Do you want to see the money

before you believe me?

Is that your nasty lawyer's way?

- Not at all, Mr Hobson.

- Good.

I don't see what's good about it.

It's a tidy sum of money

to be going out of the family.

- It isn't going out of the family, Father.

- I don't see how you make that out.

You can come out, both of you.

It's all settled.

- Where did they come from?

- My bedroom.

Maggie, I wish you'd explain

before my brain gives way.

It's quite simple, Father.

They're going to be married.

- Married?

- Yes, Father.

You wanted the girls off your hands,

and here's a pair of young men

who'll take them for you.

That's very kind of them,

but I think you've made

a slight miscalculation, me lass.

I have the painful duty

of reminding you two young ladies

of a little question of marriage settlement.

Now, I've got the measure

of these two foot pads

and if they think they can get

settlements out of me,

when I've just been tricked

into giving them five hundred...

Two hundred and fifty apiece, Father.

Do you mean to tell me...

Now, you won't forget

you've passed your word, will you, Father?

I've been diddled.

It clears the shop of all those fools

of women that used to get in your way.

Aye, and they can stay out of my way.

D'you hear that, all of you?

Father!

I'll run that shop with men,

and I'll show Salford how it should be run.

And I'm not blind yet, and I can see

who it is I've got to thank for this.

I'm sorry for you, Will Mossop.

Taken all in all,

you're the best in t'bunch.

You're a backward lad but you know

your trade and it's an honest one.

Aye!

You may grin, you two,

but you wait till the families begin to come.

- Father!

- Aye!

You'll know what marrying a woman means

before very long.

I've suffered 30 years and more,

and I'm a free man today!

- Oh, Maggie, thank you!

- You're welcome, love.

It's settled, it's settled, hurray!

Vicky!

- Well, time we were going.

- Hm?

Oh, yes.

You'll be glad to see the back of us.

No, no, I... I wouldn't dream

of asking you to go.

Then I would.

It's about time we turned you out.

Come and get your things.

I... I don't see why you need

to go away so soon.

- Why not?

- Well, I... I'm fond of a bit of company.

D'you want company

on your wedding night?

Well, I...

I've not been married before, you see,

and I freely own

I'm feeling awkward, like.

You've been engaged to her,

haven't you?

Aye, but it weren't for long.

And you see, Maggie's not the sort

you get familiar with.

Yes, I know.

Good night, Will.

Good night, Maggie.

Good night, Maggie.

Good night, Willie.

- Good night, Maggie.

- Good night, Will.

- Oh, have you got my hat, Alice?

- Yes, yes.

We'll see you

at the wedding, Maggie.

You might be

too grand for us afterwards!

Oh, no, Maggie, we won't.

We'll be catching up with you before long.

We're only starting here.

- Good night!

- Good night, good night!

I'll tell you something, Will.

In a few years' time

you're going to be thought more of

than either of your brothers-in-law.

Well, I don't know.

They have a long start on us.

Aye, but you got me.

Now, your slate's in the bedroom.

Bring it out.

I'll have the table cleared

by the time you get back.

Oh, let me see it first.

That's what you did last night

at Tubby's?

Yes, your writing's improving, Will.

I'll just set you a short copy for tonight

because it's getting late.

There is...

always...

room...

at...

the top.

There! Now you can copy that.

I think I'll throw these flowers

of Mrs Hepworth's away, Will.

We'll not be wanting litter

come working time tomorrow.

I... thought I'd press it in me Bible

for a keepsake, Will.

I'm not beyond liking

to be reminded of this day.

Oh, I'm tired.

I reckon I'll leave the pots

till t'morning.

It's a slackish way of starting,

but I don't get married every day.

No.

Well, I'm for bed.

You'll finish one copy

before you come.

- Willie?

- Yes, Maggie?

- I'm ready.

By gum!

You get to work, my lad.

You'll have your breakfast

as soon as it's made.

A customer!

- Good morning, madam.

- Morning, ma'am.

Good morning.

- A pair of bootlaces, please.

- Certainly, madam.

That'll be one penny, madam.

Thank you.

Good morning.

- Morning.

- Morning, ma'am.

By gum!

Willie?

Willie?

Oh, where have you been?

I'm going to give you a shock.

I doubt it.

I've just paid out 120.

- What?

- To Mrs Hepworth.

That's her capital plus 20 per cent.

There's a receipt.

We can do without her now.

It looks as though

you can do without me too.

Maggie.

I thought to please you.

You do. You do.

Only, I like to have a finger in the pie.

God knows

you made the whole pie, Maggie.

I... I meant to give you

a little surprise.

It's all right, lad.

I'm not complaining.

It's New Year's Eve,

and we can start tomorrow

with a clean slate.

You know, I...

I feel quite intoxicated.

We've enough of that in the family,

especially on New Year's Eve.

Come on, me lad, get out of that best coat

and help me get some supper.

Tubby!

I...

- Fetch the doctor.

- Yes, sir.

Oh, Jim. Oh, Jim.

Henry!

- What is it, lad?

- I don't know.

Eeh, bit of a liver attack, maybe.

Worse than that, Jim.

It's worse than that.

Here, come on, back into bed.

Come on.

That's it.

The doctor will soon be here.

I'm seeing no doctor in bed!

I'll face him downstairs.

Oh. Get me my clothes!

- Ye had a breakdown this morning.

- Aye.

Hold your hands out.

And you honestly require me

to tell you the cause, Mr Hobson?

I'm paying thee brass to tell me.

Chronic alcoholism,

if you know what I mean.

- Aye.

- A serious case.

I know it's serious. You're not here

to tell me what I already know.

You're here to cure me.

Have ye a wife, Mr Hobson?

In bed?

- Higher than that.

- A pity.

A man like you

should keep a wife handy.

I'm not so partial to women.

Now you stop that.

None of your druggist muck for me.

I'm particular

what I put in my stomach.

Mr Hobson,

if you don't mend your manners,

I shall certify ye.

Are ye aware that ye have drunk yourself

within six months of the grave?

This morning you had a warning

any sane man would listen to,

and you're going to listen to it, sir!

By taking your prescription?

Precisely, and you shall practise

total abstinence in the future.

Are you asking me to give up

my reasonable refreshment?

I forbid alcohol absolutely.

If I'm to be beaten by drink,

I'll die fighting!

Life's got to be worth living

before I live it.

Then my services

are of no use to you.

Aye, they're not.

I'll pay you on t'nail for this.

- I congratulate you on the impulse.

- Now listen...

What are you doing under my roof?

- I've come because I was fetched here.

- Who fetched you?

- Tubby Wadlow.

- Tubby can quit my shop this minute.

- Sit down, man.

- He said you were dangerously ill.

- He is, missus...

- Mossop.

Your father is drinking himself to death.

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