ELLEN
That’s richt. (A slight pause; the older women try to make conversation. First Polly bobs forward as if about to speak, but leans back without saying anything; Ellen does the same. Mary moves to the door as Ellen, glancing round for a subject, lets her eye fall on the brandy bottle and fires off her remark in time to arrest Mary’s progress towards the door.) A thocht there wis mair nor that in the bottle, aw the same.
POLLY
It’s a handy thing tae huv aboot the hoose.
ELLEN
Aye. Rare stuff fur the jaw-ache.
POLLY
It is that. Goes weel wi’ a cup o’ tea, tae, on a cauld mornin’.
MARY
Is there onything else?