_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. _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.