to--

[Illustration]

_Surveyor_. Oh, of course, of course! _We_ know all about that. You
see _I_ can only go by rule. What's right's right; what's wrong's
wrong; that's about the size of it. _I've_ nothing to do with it, one
way or another, except to see the law carried out.

_Builder_. Ex-ack-ly! However, if you've seen all you want to, we may
as well step over to the "Crown and Thistle," and--

_Surveyor_ (_suddenly_). By the way, I suppose this wall is properly
underpinned?

_Builder_ (_nervously_). Well--er--not exackly--but, 'er, 'er--well,
the fact is I thought--

_Surveyor_ (_sternly_). What you _thought_, Sir, doesn't affect the
matter. The question is, what the Building Act _says_. The whole thing
must come down!

_Builder_. But, I say, that'll run me into ten pounds, at least, and
really the thing's as safe as--

_Surveyor_. Maybe, maybe--in fact, I don't say it isn't. But the Act
says it's got to be done.

_Builder_. Well, well, if there's no help for it, I must _do_ it, of
course.