Burns: You put off settlement with the Lord as long as you can, Michael Johnson—you’ll be wise.
Michael: They say that Mr. Armour will not be put off, though.
[Burns is suddenly silenced by this, and with his parting score Michael goes, two or three of the others following him. One or two of the party are now asleep, two or three others talking together, Tam sitting by himself. The landlord is smoking, and Nell cleaning pots.]
Tam: He was always bitter to poverty. Thank you, Robin, for speaking.
Nell: What’s that about Mr. Armour?
Burns: They’ve beaten me, Nell. I’ve got to go.
Nell: How’s that?
Burns (sitting at a table near to us, in dejection. Nell comes to him, still working. Some of the others at another table are playing cards): We were friends, Nell, you and I.
Nell: Good friends, Robin.
Burns: Parnassus Hill, you remember?