'I'm nae in,' he answered, magnificently.

'But it's the mistress 'at's sent for ye. Somebody's wantin' ye.'

'Somebody maun want me, than.--As I was sayin', Mr. 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.