BUT.

This is a submission and a question. The submission is: “but.” There is a long-accepted use of a terminal but... in English. Thus, He said, 'Yes, but....' to mean a thought the listener can complete or the like. My question is not about that use of but. The but I am interested in does not leave any room for the listener to complete anything. It stands on its own as a fact or opinion or sentiment of the speaker. I've encountered the expression mostly in British detective shows and in British novels. For example, from Reginald Hill's Dalziel/Pascoe novel _On Beulah Height_: Mebbe. Not a daughter, but. They just had the one. Mary. It nigh on pushed the father over the edge, losing her. (Copyright 1998 by Reginald Hill, paperback, Dell Books, September 1999, p. 40.) This use of but usually has the but at the end of the sentence and is not followed by an ellipsis. My question: I would like to 1. know if this is Yorkshire slang or an accepted Yorkshire way of speaking. 2. (if available) locate some references (both of its use as above in Hill's novel and any commentary on this use of but.). Doug Haden California, USA dhadenridgenet.net [Ed. The editor sent Mr. Haden a response June 17, but the response seems to have stuck in the editor's outbox.] Example: More Reginald Hill examples, all from Hill, Reginald. Pictures of Perfection, © 1994 Reginald Hill. Dell Books/Random House”: p. 70: “You’ll have a piece of cold pie, but?” p. 82: Doesn’t like him, but, thought Wield. p. 84: “His wife seems a nice lady, but,” prompted Wield. p. 138: “It doesn’t have any flowers around it, but,” said Wield.