I, Poyser, and your excellent wife here,
can enter into a little arrangement in consequence, which will be to our mutual
advantage.«
    »Oh,« said Mr. Poyser, with a good-natured blankness of imagination as to
the nature of the arrangement.
    »If I'm called upon to speak, sir,« said Mrs. Poyser, after glancing at her
husband with pity at his softness, »you know better than me; but I don't see
what the Chase Farm is t' us - we've cumber enough wi' our own farm. Not but
what I'm glad to hear o' anybody respectable coming into the parish: there's
some as ha' been brought in as hasn't been looked on i' that character.«
    »You're likely to find Mr. Thurle an excellent neighbour, I assure you: such
a one as you will feel glad to have accommodated by the little plan I'm going to
mention; especially as I hope you will find it as much to your own advantage as
his.«
    »Indeed, sir, if it's anything to our advantage, it'll be the first offer o'
the sort I've heared on. It's them as take advantage that get advantage i' this
world, I think: folks have to wait long enough afore it's brought to 'em.«
    »The fact is, Poyser,« said the Squire, ignoring Mrs. Poyser's theory of
worldly prosperity, »there is too much dairy land, and too little plough land,
on the Chase Farm, to suit Thurle's purpose - indeed, he will only take the farm
on condition of some change in it: his wife, it appears, is not a clever
dairy-woman, like yours. Now, the plan I'm thinking of is to effect a little
exchange. If you were to have the Hollow Pastures, you might increase your
dairy, which must be so profitable under your wife's management; and I should
request you, Mrs. Poyser, to supply my house with milk, cream, and butter at the
market prices. On the other hand, Poyser, you might let Thurle have the Lower
and Upper Ridges, which really, with our wet seasons, would be a good riddance
for you. There is much less risk in dairy land than corn land.«
    Mr. Poyser was leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, his head on
one side, and his mouth