t July?

DANIEL (_looking across at_ JOHN, _who is standing with his back to
the fireplace_). I don't think I do.

JOHN. No. We don't get them sort of papers. I did buy one or two like
them for Daniel, but he told me he would just as soon have the _Whig_,
for there was just as much information in it.

MACKENZIE (_laughing_). O spirit of Burns! Just as much
information--well, so much for that. Now, about this new patent, this
new fan bellows that I hear you're working at, Mr. Murray.

DANIEL. What about it?

ANDY. We both seen the drawings in there, Daniel, but I don't think
either of us made much of it. Could you not explain it to him, Daniel.
Give him an idea what you mean to do with it.

JOHN. Aye. Now's your chance, Daniel. You were talking of some
difficulty or other. Maybe this gentleman could help you with it.

DANIEL (_shifting uneasily, and looking appealingly at_ JOHN). Well.
There's no great hurry. A little later on in the evening. (_He looks
at_ SARAH.) I'm thinking about Miss McMinn. I don't think this
conversation would be very interesting to her.

SARAH. Oh, indeed now, Mr. Murray, I just love to know about it. A
good fan bellows would be the great thing for yon fireplace of ours,
Andy.

ANDY. Aye. Soul, it would that.

DANIEL (_uncomfortably_). No. Not just yet, John. A bit later on. I'm
shy, John, you know. A bit backward before company.

JOHN. You're a man to talk about going to see people in London.

SARAH. What? Was he going to London?

JOHN. Aye. He was talking about going to London, and I was half-minded
to let him go.

ANDY (_who exchanges meaning glances with_ SARAH). Boys, that would
cost a wheen of pounds!

MACKENZIE. Who wull you go to see in London?

DANIEL (_evasively_). Oh--engineers and patent agents and people that
would take an interest in that sort of thing.

MACKENZIE. Have you anyone to go to in particular?

DANIEL. Oh, yes.

SARAH. It will cost a great deal of money, Daniel. Seven or eight
pounds anyway. Won't it, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE. It would, and more.

JOHN (_looking at_ SARAH _with evident admiration_). Man, that's a
saving woman. She can count the pounds. (_Suddenly_). Daniel, away out
and show Andy and Mr. Mackenzie the thresher, and get used to the
company, and then you can come in and explain the thing to them. I
want Sarah to stay here and help me to make the tea. That fool of a
Mary is away again somewhere.

ANDY (_after a sly glance at_ S