[He puts his arm round her and kisses her.]

The Girl: I have my own, thank you.

White: O, you have, have you?

[She moves to go. Burns is fumbling with his letter, beyond any easy reading of it.]

Muir (filling the last cup): A moment, Meg. The bowl is empty. We will replenish it. Bear it in front of us. Come, Baliol, we will administer the ingredients together. Excuse us, gentlemen.

[Meg carries the bowl out, Muir and White following her.

Ogilvie has subsided on to the floor, and is lying with his head on Duncan’s knee, both asleep.]

Burns (the opened letter in his hand): This handwriting is confoundedly fidgetty.

Simpson (who has carried his liquor better than the rest): Is it of a private character, Mr. Burns?

Burns: Its character escapes me.