He promised to be back by six." "It wants a quarter to six at present," said Bathsheba, looking at her watch.

"I daresay he'll be in directly.

Well, now then"-- she looked into the book--"Joseph Poorgrass, are you there ?" "Yes, sir--ma'am I mane," said the person addressed.

"I be the personal name of Poorgrass." "And what are you ?" "Nothing in my own eye.

In the eye of other people--well, I don't say it; though public thought will out." "What do you do on the farm ?" "I do do carting things all the year, and in seed time I shoots the rooks and sparrows, and helps at pig-killing, sir." "How much to you ?" "Please nine and ninepence and a good halfpenny where 'twas a bad one, sir--ma'am I mane." "Quite correct.