human
I think, said Bellew, as he came up,
gpt
I think you must be the Adam I have heard of.
human
That be my name, sir.
gpt
Then Adam, fill your pipe,
human
Yes sir, he nodded, inhaling the tobacco with much apparent enjoyment,
gpt
Adam I were baptized some thirty odd year ago, but I generally calls myself 'Old Adam,'
human
But you're not old, Adam.
gpt
Why, it ain't on account o' my age, ye see sir,--it be all because o' the Old Adam as is inside o' me. Lord love ye! I am nat'rally that full o' the 'Old Adam' as never was. An' 'e's alway a up an' taking of me at the shortest notice. Only t'other day he up an' took me because Job Jagway ('e works for Squire Cassilis, you'll understand sir) because Job Jagway sez as our wheat, (meanin' Miss Anthea's wheat, you'll understand sir) was mouldy; well, the 'Old Adam' up an' took me to that extent, sir, that they 'ad to carry Job Jagway home, arterwards. Which is all on account o' the Old Adam,--me being the mildest chap you ever see, nat'rally,--mild? ah! sucking doves wouldn't be nothin' to me for mildness.
human
And what did the Squire have to say about your spoiling his man?
gpt
Wrote to Miss Anthea, o' course, sir,--he's always writing to Miss Anthea about summat or other,--sez as how he was minded to lock me up for 'sault an' battery, but, out o' respect for her, would let me off, wi' a warning.
human
Miss Anthea was worried, I suppose?
gpt
Worried, sir! 'Oh Adam!' sez she, 'Oh Adam! 'aven't I got enough to bear but you must make it 'arder for me?' An' I see the tears in her eyes while she said it. Me make it 'arder for her! Jest as if I wouldn't make things lighter for 'er if I could,--which I can't; jest as if, to help Miss Anthea, I wouldn't let 'em take me an'--well, never mind what,--only I would!
human
Yes, I'm sure you would, nodded Bellew.
gpt
And is the Squire over here at Dapplemere very often, Adam?
human
Why, not so much lately, sir. Last time were yesterday, jest afore Master Georgy come 'ome. I were at work here in the yard, an' Squire comes riding up to me, smiling quite friendly like,--which were pretty good of him, considering as Job Jagway ain't back to work yet. 'Oh Adam!' sez he, 'so you're 'aving a sale here at Dapplemere, are you?' Meaning sir, a sale of some bits, an' sticks o' furnitur' as Miss Anthea's forced to part wi' to meet some bill or other. 'Summat o' that sir,' says I, making as light of it as I could. 'Why then, Adam,' sez he, 'if Job Jagway should 'appen to come over to buy a few o' the things,--no more fighting!' sez he. An' so he nods, an' smiles, an' off he rides. An' sir, as I watched him go, the 'Old Adam' riz up in me to that extent as it's a mercy I didn't have no pitchfork 'andy.