Burns: The labourer—hired. Yes, I will remember.
[Miss Taylor takes leave of the Duchess and the company, and goes, accompanied to the door by Mrs. Ferguson.
Walter Scott comes to Mrs. Ferguson and shakes her hand. He stands a moment before Burns, looking at him uncertainly.]
Burns (holding out his hand, which Walter takes): Good-bye.
Walter Scott: Good-bye, sir.
[Leaving Burns rather poignantly taken aback by the unexpected ceremony of address, he bows to the Duchess and the others and goes. Mrs. Stewart is now standing by Dr. Blacklock, and as Mrs. Montgomery rises, she takes her place.]
Mrs. Montgomery (to her hostess): Good-afternoon. Good-afternoon, Duchess. If I can help Mr. Burns with any recommendation, he will let me know. Word left at Wilson’s bookshop will reach me.
[She goes, escorted by the Fergusons.]
The Duchess: Dr. Blair was praising your poems this morning, Mr. Burns. But he suggested that you might with advantage enlarge your scope. He spoke of Dr. Young and Mr. Akenside.
Burns: I fear my Pegasus is for light journeys only, your Grace.