WILLIE. Aye, you're right. I didn't think of that. This 'ull give a lot of satisfaction to a many I could name. Other people's troubles is mostly what folks read the paper for, and I reckon it's twice the pleasure to them when it's trouble of a man they know themselves. (_He is perfectly simple and has no malicious intention_.) HOBSON. To hear you talk it sounds like a pleasure to you. WILLIE (_sincerely_). Nay, it's not. You've ate my wedding cake and you've shook my hand. We're friends, I hope, and I were nobbut meditating like a friend. I always think it's best to look on the worst side of things first, then whatever chances can't be worse than you looked for. There's St. Philip's now. I don't suppose you'll go on being vicar's warden after this to do, and it brought you a powerful lot of customers from the church, did that. HOBSON (_turning to her_). I'm getting a lot of comfort from your husband, Maggie. MAGGIE. It's about what you deserve. (_Goes to him_.) HOBSON. Have you got any more consolation for me, Will? WILLIE (_aggrieved_). I only spoke what came into my mind. HOBSON. Well, have you spoken it all? WILLIE. I can keep my mouth shut if you'd rather. HOBSON. Don't strain yourself, Will Mossop. When a man's mind is full of thoughts like yours, they're better out than in. You let them come, my lad. They'll leave a cleaner place behind. WILLIE. I'm not much good at talking, and I always seem to say wrong things when I do talk. I'm sorry if my well-meant words don't suit your taste, but I thought you came here for advice. HOBSON. I didn't come to you, you jumped-up cock-a-hooping--(_Rising_.) MAGGIE. That 'ull do, father. (_Pushes him down_.) My husband's _trying_ to help you. HOBSON (_glares impatiently for a time, then meekly says_). Yes, Maggie. MAGGIE. Now about this accident of yours. HOBSON. Yes, Maggie. MAGGIE. It's the publicity that you're afraid of most. HOBSON. It's being dragged into a court of law at all, me that's voted right all through my life and been a sound supporter of the Queen and Constitution. MAGGIE. Then we must try to keep it out of court. (_Moves away to_ L. C.) HOBSON (_rising and moving to_ C.). If there are lawyers in Heaven, Maggie, which I doubt, they may keep cases out of courts there. On earth a lawyer's job's to squeeze a man and squeeze him where his squirming's seen the most--in court. MAGGIE. I've heard of cases being settled out of court, in private. HOBSON. In private? Yes, I dare say, and all the worse for that. It's done amongst themselves in lawyers' offices behind closed doors so no one can see they're squeezing twice as hard in private as they'd dare to do in public. There's some restraint demanded by a public place, but privately! It'll cost a fortune to settle this in private, Maggie. MAGGIE. I make no doubt it's going to cost you something, but you'd rather do it privately than publicly?