(ALBERT and ALICE, FRED and VICKEY stand arm in arm, L.) HOBSON. You mean to tell me—
MAGGIE. You won't forget you've passed your word, will you father?
HOBSON (rising). I've been diddled. (Moves C.) It's a plant. It—
MAGGIE. It takes two daughters off your hands at once, and clears your shop of all the fools of women that used to lumber up the place.
ALICE. It will be much easier for you without us in your way, father.
HOBSON. Aye, and you can keep out of my way and all. Do you hear that, all of you?
VICKEY. Father...!
HOBSON (picking up his hat). I'll run that shop with men and—and I'll show Salford how it should be run. Don't you imagine there'll be room for you when you come home crying and tired of your fine husbands. I'm rid of ye, and it's a lasting riddance, mind. I'll pay this money, that you've robbed me of, and that's the end of it. All of you. You, especially, Maggie. I'm not blind yet, and I can see who 'tis I've got to thank for this. (He goes to foot of stairs.)
MAGGIE. Don't be vicious, father.
HOBSON. Will Mossop, I'm sorry for you. (Over banisters.) Take you for all in all, you're the best of the bunch. You're a backward lad, but you know your trade and it's an honest one.