They're married, and I'm
deserted by them all and I'll die deserted, then perhaps they'll
be sorry for the way they've treated me. Tubby, have you got no
work to do in the shop?
TUBBY. I might find some if I looked hard.
HOBSON. Then go and look. And take that bacon with you. I don't
like the smell.
TUBBY (_getting bacon_). Are you sure you wouldn't like Miss
Maggie here? I'll go for her and--(_He holds the bacon very
close to_ HOBSON'S _face_.)
HOBSON. Oh, go for her. Go for the devil. What does it matter who
you go for? I'm a dying man.
(TUBBY _takes bacon and goes out_ L.)
JIM. What's all this talk about dying, Henry?
HOBSON. Oh, Jim! Oh, Jim! I've sent for the doctor. We'll know
soon how near the end is.
JIM. Well, this is very sudden. (_Sits chair,_ R.) You've
never been ill in your life.
HOBSON. It's been saved up, and all come now at once.
JIM. What are your symptoms, Henry?
HOBSON. I'm all one symptom, head to foot. I'm frightened of
myself, Jim. That's worst. You would call me a clean man, Jim?
JIM. Clean? Of course I would. Clean in body and mind.
HOBSON. I'm dirty now. I haven't washed this morning. Couldn't
face the water. The only use I saw for water was to drown myself.
The same with shaving.
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