Beyond Rivalry

Another excerpt from George Eliot's Adam Bede.

Interchange between Mr and Mrs Poyser:

"'Hey-day! There's Adam along wi' Dinah,' said Mr. Poyser, as he opened the far gate into the Home Close. 'I couldna think how he happened away from church. Why,' added good Martin, after a moment's pause, 'what dost think has just jumped into my head?'

 

"'Summat as hadna far to jump, for it's just under our nose. You mean as Adam's fond o' Dinah.'

"'Aye! hast ever had any notion of it before?'

"'To be sure I have,' said Mrs. Poyser, who always declined, if possible, to be taken by surprise. 'I'm not one o' those as can see the cat i' the dairy an' wonder what she's come after.'

"'Thee never saidst a word to me about it.'

"'Well, I aren't like a bird-clapper, forced to make a rattle when the wind blows on me. I can keep my own counsel when there's no good i' speaking.'"