[Enter JACK FREEMAN, sauntering in dressed in a blouse, smoking, a billycock on his head, and his hands in his pockets.

W.  J.  There’s your judge, Citizen Nupkins!  No, Jack, you needn’t take your hands out of your pockets to shake hands with me; I know your ways and your manners.  But look here! (pointing to NUPKINS).

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.