_Silas._ (_Fiercely._) Feed him till he splits, or dies of indigestion! [_Exit HARRY, L._ _Johnny._ Say, dad, he’ll be grand, if we can only put him to the plough. _Silas._ (_Fiercely._) Clear out, yer jackanapes! [_Exit JOHNNY, L._ _Mrs. S._ I’ll go and look after the poultry. If he gets in among ’em, good by to Thanksgiving. It’s all right, Silas. It’s a pretty big critter to have about; but it shows “a liberal spirit”--don’t it? [_Exit, L._ _Silas._ Shut up! Clear out!--Wal, I guess I brought home a pretty big load last night, accordin’ to the looks of things. Now, what on airth set me on to buy that elephant? Must have been the Ottawa beer. What on airth shall I do with him? He’ll eat us out of house and home. If I kill him, there’s an end of it. No, the beginnin’, for we’d have to dig up the whole farm to bury him. But he must be got rid of somehow. O, Somerby, you’ve a long row to hoe here! _Enter HARRY, L._ _Harry._ Now, sir, let us look this matter calmly in the face. (_Sits R. of table._) _Silas._ What matter? _Harry._ Well, suppose we call it “consequential damages.” _Silas._ Call it what you like. It’s a big critter, and should have a big name. _Harry._ You don’t understand me. I told you Sheriff Brown was looking for you. There are about a dozen complaints lodged against you already. This is likely to be a costly affair. _Silas._ Sheriff Brown--complaints--costly affair! Why, what do you mean? Isn’t it bad enough to be caught with an elephant on your hands? _Harry._ Well, your elephant, not being acquainted in this part of the country, got out of the road a little in travelling towards his present quarters. For instance, he walked into Squire Brown’s fence, and carried away about a rod of it. _Silas._ You don’t mean it! _Harry._ And, in endeavoring to get back to the road, walked through his glass house, and broke _some_ glass. _Silas._ Goodness gracious! _Harry._ Mr. Benson’s flower garden, being near the road, was hastily visited by his highness, and a few of the rare plants will flourish no more. _Silas._ O, my head! Is that all? _Harry._ No, for Mrs. Carter was on the road with her span. On the appearance of the great hay-eater, one of the horses dropped dead. _Silas._ O, ruin, ruin! Why didn’t the elephant keep him company? _Harry._ These parties have made complaint, and will sue you for damages. There are other disasters connected with the entry of your pet-- _Silas._ Don’t mention ’em. Don’t speak of any more. There’s enough now to ruin me. Broken fences, smashed hot-houses, ruined flower beds, and a dead horse! _Harry._ Consequential damages. _Silas._ Consequential humbugs! I am the victim of a conspiracy. I don’t own an elephant. I won’t own him. I never bought him. He’s escaped from a menagerie. Why should I buy an elephant?