WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Well for one thing, ye said there was too many public houses in the country.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Scornfully.]

And every right-minded man would agree wi' that.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Well I can shew you another. You'll no argy wi' me that if a man wants to drink, he will drink.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Somewhat perplexed.]

Well----

[Slowly.]

I suppose I do agree till that.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

And if a man will drink, he's boun' till get drunk.

JOHN GRAEME.

Na. Na. I don't agree till that.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Triumphantly.]

Did you ivir hear tell of a man who was drunk wi'out drinkin'?

JOHN GRAEME.

That's no' in the argyment at all.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

But I tell you it is. A man's bound to be drinkin' if he gets drunk.

JOHN GRAEME.

I'm no contrad.i.c.kin' that at all. I----

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Interrupting.]

Now houl' your tongue till I explain till ye. If a man get's drunk when he's drinkin', he's bound to be drunk o' coorse.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Contemptuously.]

Ye talk like a child.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Now wait till I get it hammered intill ye. Now when that man's drunk, he's boun' to ha'e been drinkin'.

[He hesitates and is obviously confused.

Then suddenly seems to grasp the idea he wants.]

Aye--in a public house o' coorse.

JOHN GRAEME.

O' coorse. What else would he do there but drink.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Now that man gets drunk.

[He looks inquiringly at Graeme]

JOHN GRAEME.

[Hopelessly.]