) It's as certain as
Christmas. My good-class customers are not going to buy their
boots from a man who's stood up in open court and had to
acknowledge he was overcome at 12 o'clock in the morning. They'll
not remember it was private grief that caused it all. They'll
only think the worse of me because I couldn't control my daughter
better than to let her go and be the cause of sorrow to me in my
age. That's what you've done. Brought this on me, you two,
between you.
WILLIE. Do you think it will get into the paper, Maggie?
MAGGIE. Yes, for sure. You'll see your name in the _Salford
Reporter_, father.
HOBSON. _Salford Reporter_! Yes, and more. When there is
ruin and disaster, and outrageous fortune overwhelms a man of my
importance to the world, it isn't only the _Salford
Reporter_ that takes note of it. This awful cross that's come
to me will be recorded in the _Manchester Guardian_ for the
whole of Lancashire to read.
WILLIE. Eh, by gum, think of that! To have your name appearing in
the _Guardian_! Why, it's very near worth while to be ruined
for the pleasure of reading about yourself in a printed paper.
HOBSON (_sits sofa_). It's there for others to read besides
me, my lad.
WILLIE. Aye, you're right. I didn't think of that.
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