WILLIE. That's a bit like asking if a pound of tea weighs heavier than a pound of lead. I'm worrited about your life because it worrits Maggie, but I'm none worrited that bad I'll see my business suffer for the sake of you. HOBSON. This isn't what I've a right to expect from you, Will. WILLIE. You've no _right_ to expect I care whether you sink or swim. MAGGIE. Will! WILLIE. What's to do? You told me to take a high hand, didn't you? (MAGGIE _sits down_ R.) ALICE. And we're to stay here and watch Maggie and Will abusing father when he's ill. (_Positions now_: MAGGIE _sitting down_ R., HOBSON _sitting in armchair_, ALICE _standing behind and between them_, VICKEY _standing_ L. _of table_.) WILLIE. No need for you to stay. HOBSON. That's a true word, Will Mossop. VICKEY. Father! You take his side against your flesh and blood. HOBSON. That doesn't come too well from you, my girl. Neither of you would leave your homes to come to care for me. You're not for me, so you're against me. ALICE. We're not against you, father. We want to stay and see that Will deals fairly by you. HOBSON. Oh, I'm not capable of looking after myself, amn't I? I've to be protected by you girls lest I'm overreached, and overreached by whom? By Willie Mossop! I may be ailing, but I've fight enough left in me for a dozen such as him, and if you're thinking that the manhood's gone from me, you can go and think it somewhere else than in my house. VICKEY. But father--dear father-- HOBSON. I'm not so dear to you if you'd to think twice about coming here to do for me, let alone jibbing at it the way you did. A proper daughter would have jumped--aye, skipped like a calf by the cedars of Lebanon--at the thought of being helpful to her father. ALICE. Did Maggie skip? HOBSON. She's a bit ancient for skipping exercise, is Maggie; but she's coming round to reconcilement with the thought of living here, and that is more than you are doing, Alice, isn't it? Eh? Are you willing to come? ALICE (_sullenly_). No. HOBSON. Or you, Vickey? VICKEY. It's my child, father. I-- HOBSON. Never mind what it is. Are you coming or not? VICKEY. No. HOBSON. Then you that aren't willing can leave me to talk with them that are. ALICE. Do you mean that we're to go? HOBSON. I understand you've homes to go to. ALICE. Oh, father! HOBSON. Open the door for them, Will. (WILL _rises, crosses, and opens door_. ALICE _and_ VICKEY _stare in silent anger. Then_ ALICE _sweeps to her gloves on the table_.) ALICE. Vickey! (ALICE _moves on towards door_.) VICKEY. Well, I don't know! MAGGIE (_from her chair by the fire-place_). We'll be glad to see you here at tea-time on a Sunday afternoon if you'll condescend to come sometimes. VICKEY. Beggars on horseback. (VICKEY _and_ ALICE _pass out_.) WILL (_closing door_). Nay, come, there's no ill-will. (He _returns to table and sits_ R. _of it_.) HOBSON. Now, my lad, I'll tell you what I'll do.