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.'

'Here, Meggie,' said the chairman, 'there's yer shillin'; and ye
jist gang to Miss Lettie, and gie her my compliments, and say that
Mr. Lammie's here, and we haena seen him for a lang time. And'--the
rest was spoken in a whisper--'I'll sweir to ye, Meggie, the weyver
body sanna hae ae drap o' 't.'

Meg withdrew once more, and returned.

'Miss Letty's compliments, sir, and Miss Naper has the keys, and
she's gane till her bed, and we maunna disturb her. And it's time
'at a' honest fowk was in their beds tu. And gin Mr. Lammie wants a
bed i' this hoose, he maun gang till 't. An' here's his can'le.
Gude nicht to ye a', gentlemen.'