You'll make me
out a pauper.
MAGGIE (_turns to HOBSON_). You can afford 500 pounds and
you're going to pay 500 pounds.
HOBSON. Oh, but... there's a difference between affording and
paying.
MAGGIE. You can go to the courts and be reported in the papers if
you like. (_Moves to above table_, R.C.)
HOBSON. It's the principle I care about. I'm being beaten by a
lawyer.
VICKEY (_going to_ HOBSON). Father, dear, how can you be
beaten when they wanted a thousand pounds and you're only going
to give 500 pounds?
HOBSON. I hadn't thought of that.
VICKEY. It's they who are beaten.
HOBSON. I'd take a good few beatings myself at the price, Vickey.
Still, I want this keeping out of court.
ALBERT. Then we can take it as settled?
HOBSON. Do you want to see the money before you believe me? Is
that your nasty lawyer's way?
ALBERT. Not at all, Mr. Hobson. Your word is as good as your
bond. (_Moves back_ L.)
VICKEY. It's settled! It's settled! Hurrah! Hurrah! (_Moves_
L. _to_ FREDDY.)
HOBSON. Well, I don't see what you have to cheer about, Vickey.
I'm not to be dragged to public scorn, but you know this is a
tidy bit of money to be going out of the family. (_Sits
sofa_, R. C.)
MAGGIE. It's not going out of the family, father.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85