SARAH JANE (_to her TROOPER_). I could stand an' look at 'em hours, I could. I was born and bred in the country, and it do seem to bring back my old 'ome that plain. Her TROOPER. I'm country bred too, though yer mightn't think it. But there ain't much in sheep shearin' to _my_ mind. If it was _pig killin'_, now! SARAH JANE. Ah, that's along o' your bein' in the milingtary, I expect. Her TROOPER. No, it ain't that. It's the reckerlections it 'ud call up. I 'ad a 'ole uncle a pork-butcher, d'ye see, and (_with sentiment_) many and many a 'appy hour I've spent as a boy----[_He indulges in tender reminiscences._ A YOUNG CLERK (_who belongs to a Literary Society, to his FIANCÉE_). It has a wonderfully rural look--quite like a scene in 'Ardy, isn't it? His FIANCÉE (_who has "no time for reading rubbish"_). I daresay; though I've never been there myself. The CLERK. Never been? Oh, I see. _You_ thought I said _Arden_--the Forest of Arden, in Shakspeare, didn't you? His FIANCÉE. Isn't that where Mr. Gladstone lives, and goes cutting down the trees in? The CLERK. No; At least it's spelt different. But it was 'Ardy _I_ meant. _Far from the Madding Crowd_, you know. His FIANCÉE (_with a vague view to the next Bank Holiday_). What do you _call_ "far"--farther than _Margate_? [_Her companion has a sense of discouragement._ An ARTISAN (_to a neighbour in broadcloth and a white choker_). It's wonderful 'ow they can go so close without 'urtin' of 'em, ain't it? His NEIGHBOUR (_with unction_). Ah, my friend, it on'y shows 'ow true it is that 'eving tempers the shears for the shorn lambs! A GOVERNESS (_instructively, to her charge_). Don't you think you ought to be very grateful to that poor sheep, Ethel, for giving up her nice warm fleece on purpose to make a frock for _you_? ETHEL (_doubtfully_). Y--yes, Miss Mavor. But (_with a fear that some reciprocity may be expected of her_) she's too big for any of my _best_ frocks, _isn't_ she? FIRST URCHIN (_perched on the railings_). Ain't that 'un a-kicking? 'E don't like 'aving _'is_ 'air cut, 'e don't, no more shouldn't I if it was me.... 'E's bin an' upset 'is bloke on the grorss, now! Look at the bloke layin' there larfin'.... 'E's ketched 'im agin now. See 'im landin' 'im a smack on the 'ed; that'll learn 'im to stay quiet, eh? 'E's strong, ain't 'e? SECOND URCHIN. Rams is the wust, though, 'cause they got 'orns, rams 'ave. FIRST URCH. What, same as goats? SECOND URCH. (_emphatically_). Yuss! Big crooked 'uns. And runs at yer, they do. FIRST URCH. I wish they was rams in 'ere. See all them sheep waitin' to be done. I wonder what they're finkin' of. SECOND URCH. Ga-arn! They _don't_ fink, sheep don't. FIRST URCH. Not o' anyfink? SECOND URCH. Na-ow! They ain't got nuffink to fink _about_, sheep ain't. FIRST URCH. I lay they _do_ fink, 'orf and on. SECOND URCH. Well, I lay _you_ never see 'em doin' of it!