by-talk

"Be it so," replied Maxwell, whose suspicions, as Vernon had intended, were diverted by this by-talk.

Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue Warren T. Ashton

‘Oh troth, Laird, ’ continued Meg, during this by-talk, ‘it’s but to the like o’ you ane can open their heart.

Chapter III 1917

Later, he had to attend a couple of board meetings, which ran off into protracted by-talk, and the rainy twilight had fallen before his office knew him again.

Queed Henry Sydnor Harrison 1905

Furthermore, they may see in his orations he wrote in certain causes to serve him when he pleaded: that he sought occasions in his by-talk to shew men that he was excellently well learned.

The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume I (of X) - Greece Various 1887

Meanwhile there was a little by-talk between Isabella and Bessie;

The Linwoods; Or, "sixty Years Since" in America 1835

'O troth, Laird,' continued Meg, during this by-talk, 'it's but to the like o' you ane can open their heart; ye see, they say Dunbog is nae mair

Guy Mannering — Complete Walter Scott 1801

'O troth, Laird,' continued Meg, during this by-talk, 'it's but to the like o' you ane can open their heart; ye see, they say Dunbog is nae mair a gentleman than the blunker that's biggit the bonnie house down in the howm.

Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Volume 01 Walter Scott 1801

'O troth, Laird,' continued Meg, during this by-talk, 'it's but to the like o' you ane can open their heart; ye see, they say Dunbog is nae mair a gentleman than the blunker that's biggit the bonnie house down in the howm.

Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Complete Walter Scott 1801