Mary. Alick! Could you not slip over and ask Andy to come across? You know what the McMinns are like. He'd come over for a shilling if he thought he'd get one. Ah, yes. You will, Alick. Won't you?
Alick. I'll go straight across now if you—if you——
Mary. What?
Alick. If you'd leave us along the road a bit.
Daniel. Aye. Do. Mary. Leave him down to the gate anyway. I want to stay here and think over things a wee bit. That't the good wee girl. (He gently urges her out with Alick, then goes over to the table, lifts the parcel, and sits down near the fireplace. Feeling the parcel.) I'm afraid, Dan Murray, it's all U. P. this time. I'm afraid it is. (Then an idea seems to dawn on him, and he looks at the parcel.) Unless—unless—well—I wonder now if I—
(Kate and Brown enter through yard door. Brown is carrying a bucket filled with washed potatoes.)
Kate. There. Put it down there. You didn't know we wanted that much, did you not? You're getting as big an old liar as Mr.—(She stops short on perceiving Daniel.)
Brown (looking up and then realising what had made her pause). Aye. Go on. As who do you say, woman?
Kate (recovering herself). Just as big an old liar as Andy McMinn.
Brown. Now, whist. The McMinns were aye decent folk. (He glances across at Daniel, who apparently is not listening.) They're near people, and all that sort of thing, but once they say a thing they stick to it.