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Mrs Poyser, however, though she noticed the bonnet, deferred re on it until she had disburdened herself of her surprise at Mr Irwine's behaviour
"Why, Mr Irasn't angry, then? What did he say to you, Dinah? Didn't he scold you for preaching?"
"No, he was not at all angry; he was very friendly to me I was quite drawn out to speak to hiht of him as a worldly Sadducee But his countenance is as pleasant as thesunshine"
"Pleasant! And what else did y' expect to find hi her knitting "I should think his countenance is pleasant indeed! And hiot a o the country round and not find such another woman turned sixty-six It's summat-like to see such a man as that i' the desk of a Sunday! As I say to Poyser, it's like looking at a full crop o' wheat, or a pasture with a fine dairy o' cows in it; it makes you think the world's comfortable-like But as for such creaturs as you Methodisses run after, I'd as soon go to look at a lot o' bare-ribbed runts on a coht, as look as if they'd never tasted nothing better than bacon-sword and sour-cake i' their lives But what did Mr Irwine say to you about that fool's trick o' preaching on the Green?"
"He only said he'd heard of it; he didn't seem to feel any displeasure about it But, dear aunt, don't think anythat I'm sure will cause you sorrow, as it does ht in the Willow Brook, and I'reatly in need of comfort Perhaps I can be of use to her, so I have fetchedto set out"
"Dear heart, dear heart! But you must have a cup o' tea first, child," said Mrs Poyser, falling at once froenial C "The kettle's boiling--we'll have it ready in atheirs directly I'o and see th' old woman, for you're one as is allays welcome in trouble, Methodist or no Methodist; but, for the matter o' that, it's the flesh and blood folks are made on as makes the difference Some cheeses are made o' skimmed milk and some o' new milk, and it's no matter what you call 'em, you may tell which is which by the look and the smell But as to Thias Bede, he's better out o' the way nor in--God forgi'so--for he's done little this ten year but ed to him; and I think it 'ud be well for you to take a little bottle o' ruot never a drop o' nothing to comfort her inside Sit down, child, and be easy, for you shan't stir out till you've had a cup o' tea, and so I tell you"