Cheerman and
gentlemen--'
'Mistress MacGregor 'll be efter ye hersel', gin ye dinna gang,'
said Meg.
'Let her come. Duv ye think I'm fleyt at her? De'il a step 'll I
gang till I please. Tell her that, Meg.'
Meg left the room, with a broad grin on her good-humoured face.
'What's the bitch lauchin' at?' exclaimed MacGregor, starting to his
feet.
The whole company rose likewise, using their endeavour to persuade
him to go home.
'Duv ye think I'm drunk, sirs? I'll lat ye ken I'm no drunk. I hae
a wull o' mine ain yet. Am I to gang hame wi' a lassie to haud me
oot o' the gutters? Gin ye daur to alloo that I'm drunk, ye ken hoo
ye'll fare, for de'il a fit 'll I gang oot o' this till I hae
anither tum'ler.'
'I'm thinkin' there's mair o' 's jist want ane mair,' said Peddie.
A confirmatory murmur arose as each looked into the bottom of his
tumbler, and the bell was instantly rung. But it only brought Meg
back with the message that it was time for them all to go home.
Every eye turned upon MacGregor reproachfully.
'Ye needna luik at me that gait, sirs. I'm no fou,' said he.
''Deed no. Naebody taks ye to be,' answered the chairman. 'Meggie,
there's naebody's had ower muckle yet, and twa or three o' 's hasna
had freely eneuch. Jist gang an' fess a mutchkin mair. An'
there'll be a shillin' to yersel', lass.'
Meg retired, but straightway returned.
'Miss Naper says there's no a drap mair drink to be had i' this
hoose the nicht.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65