MAGGIE. Did you trespass?
HOBSON. Maggie, I say it solemnly, it is all your fault. I had an
accident. I don't deny it. I'd been in the "Moonraker's" and I'd
stayed too long. And why? Why did I stay too long? To try to
forget that I'd a thankless child, to erase from the tablets of
memory the recollection of your conduct. That was the cause of
it. And the result, the blasting, withering result? I fell into
that cellar. I slept in that cellar and I awoke to this
catastrophe. Lawyers... law-costs... publicity... ruin.
MAGGIE (_moving round table to_ C.). I'm still asking you.
Was it an accident? Or did you trespass?
HOBSON. It's an accident. As plain as Salford Town Hall it's an
accident, but they that live by law have twisted ways of putting
things that make white show as black. I'm in their grip at last.
I've kept away from lawyers all my life, I've hated lawyers, and
they've got their chance to make me bleed for it. I've dodged
them, and they've caught me in the end. They'll squeeze me dry
for it.
WILLIE. My word, and that's summat like a squeeze and all.
(HOBSON _stares at him_.)
MAGGIE. I can see it's serious. I shouldn't wonder if you didn't
lose some trade from this.
HOBSON. Wonder! (_Rising and moving_ C.
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