"Well, 'carding to Nature, ma'am, and saving your presence, you're forty-five year if you're a day. I remember the very 'casion you wur born. Well, if I may be so bold, you döan't look past thirty. How's that? Just because you know some dodges worth two of Nature's, you've a way of gitting even wud her. Now if a lady can bust Nature at her dressing-täable, I reckon I can bust her on my farm."
"This is most interesting," said Anne icily, raising her lorgnette and looking at Reuben as if he were a bad smell.
"He means to be complimentary," said Richard.
"Reckon I do!" cried Reuben genially, warmed by various liquors—"naun shall say I döan't know a fine woman when I see one. And I reckon as me and my darter-in-law are out after the säum thing—and that's the beating of Nature, wot you seem to set such a store by, Richard."
"Well, she'll have you both in the end, anyhow."
"She! no—she wöan't git me."
"She'll get you when you die."
"Oh, I döan't count that—that's going to good earth."
"Perhaps she'll get you before then."