Also in Act Two it is shown that Willie’s education is progressing “that’s his business card: William Mossop, Practical Boot and Shoe Maker, 39a, Oldfield Road, Salford. William Mossop, Master Boot Maker” Willie is now portrayed as a strong and determined man. The sisters still don’t think much of Willie, because they see him as a working class man. They also think that if Willie is in the family, then no one else will want to marry them, as they won’t want Willie as a brother-in-law. Maggie does also see this but can see Will is a very hard worker who deserves more in life. Maggie explains to her sister “Do you know what keeps this business on its legs? Two things: one’s the good boots that sell themselves, the other is the bad boots other people make and I sell.” Maggie knows how the shop works and without her and Will the shop wouldn’t do so well.
The ending to the play is very effective of how Maggie and Will succeed, and the downfall of Hobson.
The first arrangement of Maggie and Will is their wedding with a very no nonsense method, which we have seen throughout the play. We first hear that Hobson has had a fall into Mr Beenstock’s building but at this point Maggie is too interested in sorting out her wedding. First she arranges for the ring. Most women of this period would want a gold ring, or something that has value, for their ring Maggie chooses ordinary brass. This is because she would rather spend their money on the business to make it more successful. She also sees their relationship as long term, so when they have got the money they can buy something that has value. Alice and Vickey do not agree with Maggie choosing a brass ring. “Wedded with a brass ring” Alice and Vickey wouldn’t think of marrying with a brass ring, especially if they are in middle class. This is where Maggie does not agree with different classes. This is a very special quality that Maggie has throughout the play.
The same approach is taken when it comes to furnishing her cellar. Maggie doesn’t see the point of wasting valuable money on furniture and expensive things, when a simple and cheaper option would such just as well “I’m not getting wed myself to help the furnishing trade along”. Vickey replies with a smart comment “I’d start properly or not at all.” Maggie ignores the comment and carries on with arrangements for the wedding.
We see Maggie’s demeaning side once again when she makes a respected Lawyer, Albert, push a hand-cart loaded with second hand chairs to their cellar “there’s the key. It’s 39a, Oldfield Road.” Albert is shocked “Yes but to push a hand-cart through Salford in broad daylight”. Despite what he has said Maggie insists he does it. “It won’t dirty your collar”.
While this was happening Maggie heard her father had fallen into Mr Beenstock and Co’s building. He fell because he was walking home from the pub and he had had a lot to drink. When Hobson walked passed the Beenstock’s the trap-door had been left open. He did not realize this and fell down, landing on some corn bags and had fallen asleep. Maggie had a plan to sort this out. It was to let Mr Beenstock take Hobson to Court for trespassing on his premises and damaging his corn bags. Maggie knew this would work because Hobson dislikes Lawyers, and Hobson would not sue Mr Beenstock because he did not get on with Lawyers.
At the wedding of Willie and Maggie, Hobson did not turn up until the time when everyone was invited back to the cellar. He explains to Maggie and Will that he still does not agree with them having their own business. He decides to ask them both back to work at his shop at his own expense. Hobson, Maggie and Will start discussing what they are going to do with both the businesses. As Hobson talks to Maggie and Will, explaining that they should come back, Maggie says, “You’d better speak out Will”. Maggie is telling Will to take control and tell Hobson what is going to happen. Then Will explains what is going to happen to the businesses. This statement from Will shows how much he has changed. He has much more confidence in himself, he is able to speak to people higher than himself, his language has improved and he has changed from a timorous boot maker that he used to be.
Throughout the play Willie and Maggie have become very attracted and have come together and moved away from Hobson’s boot shop, and created their own business in Oldfield Road. Due to this Hobson’s business begins to decline quite rapidly after Will and Maggie had left his shop. Hobson’s shop struggles and he decides to ask them back.
