_3rd Neighbour_. I have to report that the new wheel at the silk mill is
going now, and makes a very great improvement. It gives us quite enough
power even when the water is small; so we shan't want a steam-engine
after all.

_J. F_. When do we begin wheat harvest?

_3rd Neighbour_. Next Thursday in the ten-acre; the crop is heavy and
the weather looks quite settled; so we shall have a jolly time of it.

_J. F_. Well, I'm glad I know in good time; for I never like to miss
seeing the first row of reapers going into the corn. Is there anything
else?

_W. J_. Well, there's one troublesome business, chairman (_looks_ _at_
C. N., _who trembles and moans_). There's that dog we caught, that
thief, that useless beast. What is to be done with him?

_C. N_. (_Aside_, That's me! that's me! To think that a justice should
be spoken of in such language! What am I to do? What am I to do?)

_2nd Neighbour_. Well, chairman, I think we must shoot him. Once a
thief always a thief, you see, with that kind of brute. I'm sorry,
because he has been so badly brought up; and though he is an ugly dog, he
is big and burly; but I must say that I think it must be done, and as
soon as possible. He'll be after the girls if we don't do it at once!

_C. N_. (_Aside_: What! have they got hold of that story, then?)