"Who's that cove?" I heard one say to his neighbour.
"Oi doan't knaw, Oi'm sure," replied the one addressed, being a lusty farmer. "Oi never see'd un in these parts afore—looks loike a doctor."
"Why don't he speak?" said the other. "He won't talk to no one."
"Maybe un's too proud," said the former.
"I'd like to kick the surly devil," said his companion.
"What'll you bet Oi doan't make un speak?" said the countryman.
"Bet you a halfpenny you don't get a word out of him," said the first speaker.
"Done," said the farmer, and turning suddenly upon me, accosted me thus:—
"Oi zay, governor, you bes a doctor, b'aint ye?"
I drew myself up with an air of dignity, and said with a frown, and in a feigned voice: "Did you address me, sir?"