“But you won’t do anything that’s not right, George!”
“No—I don’t want to hurt nobody—but I don’t care—that!”
“You’re too good-hearted to do anybody any harm.”
“I believe I am. You know me a bit, you do, Meg—you don’t think I’m a fool now, do you?”
“I’m sure I don’t—who does?”
“No—you don’t—I know you don’t. Gi’e me a kiss—thou’rt a little beauty, thou art—like a ripe plum! I could set my teeth in thee, thou’rt that nice—full o’ red juice”—he playfully pretended to bite her. She laughed, and gently pushed him away.
“Tha likest me, doesna ta?” he asked softly.
“What do you want to know for?” she replied, with a tender archness.
“But tha does—say now, tha does.”
“I should a’ thought you’d a’ known, without telling.”