of Smoltham, and which are causing an obstruction and annoyance to
the said highway, so that the obstructions caused to the said highway
shall be removed.

"'Dated this 19th day of October, 1917.'"

"Isn't it priceless?" I said.

"It is," said Francesca. "I never knew before that a road could be
annoyed."

"Even a road has its feelings."

"Yes, perhaps it's a short lane, and everybody tramples on it, and it
turns at last."

"So do borough engineers and surveyors, it seems."

"I bet this one's a Tartar."

"How can you tell that?"

"I can tell it by his style, which is very severe and uncompromising."

"His style," I said, "is as the statute made it, and mustn't be
impugned by us."

"I particularly like that bit about plashing the trees. How in the
name of all that's English do you plash a tree?"