JAMES. She"s tremendous run after.
JOHN. Even if that"s true, it"s just keeping me in reserve in case she misses doing better.
DAVID [relieved]. That"s the situation in a nutsh.e.l.l.
JOHN. Another thing. Supposing I was to get fond of her?
ALICK [wistfully]. It"s very likely.
JOHN. Yes, and then suppose she was to give me the go-by?
DAVID. You have to risk that.
JOHN. Or take it the other way. Supposing as I got to know her I COULD NOT endure her?
DAVID [suavely]. You have both to take risks.
JAMES [less suavely]. What you need, John Shand, is a clout on the head.
JOHN. Three hundred pounds is no great sum.
DAVID. You can take it or leave it.
ALICK. No great sum for a student studying for the ministry!
JOHN. Do you think that with that amount of money I would stop short at being a minister?
DAVID. That"s how I like to hear you speak. A young Scotsman of your ability let loose upon the world with L300, what could he not do? It"s almost appalling to think of; especially if he went among the English.
JOHN. What do you think, Miss Maggie?
MAGGIE [who is knitting]. I have no thoughts on the subject either way.
JOHN [after looking her over]. What"s her age? She looks young, but they say it"s the curls that does it.
DAVID [rather happily]. She"s one of those women who are eternally young.
JOHN. I can"t take that for an answer.
DAVID. She"s twenty-five.
JOHN. I"m just twenty-one.
JAMES. I read in a book that about four years" difference in the ages is the ideal thing. [As usual he is disregarded.]
DAVID. Well, Mr. Shand?
JOHN [where is his mother?]. I"m willing if she"s willing.
DAVID. Maggie?
MAGGIE. There can be no "if" about it. It must be an offer.
JOHN. A Shand give a Wylie such a chance to humiliate him? Never.
MAGGIE. Then all is off.
DAVID. Come, come, Mr. Shand, it"s just a form.
JOHN [reluctantly]. Miss Maggie, will you?
MAGGIE [doggedly]. Is it an offer?
JOHN [dourly]. Yes.
MAGGIE [rising]. Before I answer I want first to give you a chance of drawing back.
DAVID. Maggie.
MAGGIE [bravely]. When they said that I have been run after they were misleading you. I"m without charm; n.o.body has ever been after me.
JOHN. Oho!
ALICK. They will be yet.
JOHN [the innocent]. It shows at least that you haven"t been after them.
[His hosts exchange a self-conscious glance.]
MAGGIE. One thing more; David said I"m twenty-five, I"m twenty-six.
JOHN. Aha!
MAGGIE. Now be practical. Do you withdraw from the bargain, or do you not?
JOHN [on reflection]. It"s a bargain.
MAGGIE. Then so be it.
DAVID [hurriedly]. And that"s settled. Did you say you would take it hot, Mr. Shand?
JOHN. I think I"ll take it neat.
[The others decide to take it hot, and there is some careful business here with the toddy ladles.]
ALICK. Here"s to you, and your career.
JOHN. Thank you. To you, Miss Maggie. Had we not better draw up a legal doc.u.ment? Lawyer Crosbie could do it on the quiet.