- Hetty: [to Wilkie, the local mob boss, after her brother is killed] You killed him, months ago you killed him! You said you wanted to help him. You never helped anyone the whole of your rotten life! You're greedy and wicked, you're a devil, you're a devil to boys like Tommy! Your smart suits, your sweet talk and your easy money!
- Tommy: If you want anything in this world, Het, you've got to cut it out for yourself. look at them down the Labour Exchange. Every day, a hundred blokes after one job. Then it's in a ruddy sweat shop. What chance is there for people like us? What chance? Look down the street. Look how many people have to go short, and who cares? The last square meal most of these kids had was at the Coronation tea party. Pass the cake, please, and God Save the King. I know it's alright for us if mum backs a few winners, but if she don't, then you have to keep us all. Well, I want something better than that. I'm going to cut something out better for myself.
- Bill: I hope you meant what you said, Hetty. Get out of this place. Don't wait for Tommy. Get out quick.
- Frank: I know you Het. I've watched you grow. You've got some idea in your head you can change Wilkie. Forget it. Believe me, he's rotten, he's corrupt and everything he touches turns rotten too! Everything!
- Frank: You stupid ignorant little muck rat!
- Kenny: Gimme back that knife!
- Frank: You picked on the wrong man - I ought to take you to the nick for carrying this.
- Kenny: Yeah, you do that. That's all you old blokes can think of, knock off the young 'uns, run us into the nick. You lot! You make a mess of everything and wanna take it out on us.