Page:Eliot - Adam Bede, vol. III, 1859.djvu/112

102 come within ear-shot of her; however, she's a straight-backed, clean woman, none of your slatterns. I wish you good-by, sir, and thank you for the time you've spared me. You're everybody's friend in this business—everybody's friend. It's a heavy weight you've got on your shoulders."

"Good-by, Bartle, till we meet at Stoniton, as I daresay we shall"

Bartle hurried away from the Rectory, evading Carrol's conversational advances, and saying in an exasperated tone to Vixen, whose short legs pattered beside him on the gravel,

"Now, I shall be obliged to take you with me, you good-for-nothing woman. You'd go fretting yourself to death if I left you—you know you would, and perhaps get snapped up by some tramp; and you'll be running into bad company, I expect, putting your nose in every hole and corner where you've no business; but if you do anything disgraceful I'll disown you—mind that, madam, mind that!"