Part 7 (2/2)

_J. F_. Why, what next? There's no mistaking him, it's my old acquaintance Mr. Justice Nupkins. Why you seem down on your luck, neighbour. What can I do to help you?

[NUPKINS _moans_.

_W. J_. (_winking at_ FREEMAN). You've got to try him, Jack.

_J. F_. Why, what has he been doing? (_Aside_, I say, old fellow, what game are you up to now?)

_W. J_. Doing? why nothing. That's just it; something must be done with him. He must come before the council: but I'm afraid he's not of much use to anyone. (_Aside_, I say, Jack, he is a mere jelly of fear: thinks that we are going to kill him and eat him, I believe. I must carry it on a little longer; don't spoil all my fun.)

_J. F_. (_Aside_, _to_ W. J.) Well, certainly he deserves it, but take care that he doesn't die of fear on your hands, Bill. (_Aloud_) Well, the council will meet in a minute or two, and then we will take his case.

_C. N_. (_to_ J. F.) Oh, sir, sir, spare me and don't judge me! I'll be servant to you all my life!

_W. J_. Why Nupkins, what's this? You promised to be a servant to _me_!

_J. F_. Citizen Nupkins, I really must say thank-you for nothing. What the deuce could I do with a servant? Now don't you trouble yourself; the council will see to your affairs. And in good time here come the neighbours.

[_Enter the Neighbours_, ROBERT PINCH, MART PINCH, _and others_.

_W. J_. Now for it, Nupkins! Bear your own troubles as well as you used to bear other peoples', and then you'll do very well.

JACK FREEMAN _takes his seat on the ground under the tree, the others standing and sitting about him_: WILLIAM JOYCE _makes a show of guarding_ NUPKINS, _at which the neighbours look rather astonished; but he nods and winks to them, and they see there is some joke toward and say nothing_.

_J. F_. Well, neighbours, what's the business to-day?

_1st Neighbour_. I have to report that three loads of that oak for the hall-roof have come to hand; it's well-seasoned good timber, so there need be no hitch in the building now.

_2nd Neighbour_. Well, chairman, we sent off the wool to the north-country communes last week, and they are quite satisfied with it.

Their cloth has come to hand rather better than worse than the old sample.

_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?)

_J. F_. Well, neighbours, what's to be said? anybody against it? Is this unpleasant business agreed to?

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