have done. But as to dying
in the copse, no, I really can't let you do that. You must come home to
our house, and we'll see what can be done with you. It's our old house,
but really nice enough, now; all that pretty picture of plenty that I
told you about on that day when you were so hard upon me has come to
pass, and more.

_C. N_. Oh, no! I can't come!

_M. P_. Oh, yes; you can get as far as that, and we'll give you
something to eat and drink, and then you'll be stronger. It will really
please me, if you'll come; I'm like a child with a new toy, these days,
and want to show new-comers all that's going on. Come along, and I'll
show you the pretty new hall they are building for our parish; it's such
a pleasure to stand and watch the lads at work there, as merry as grigs.
Hark! you may hear their trowels clinking from here. And, Mr. Nupkins,
you mustn't think I stole those loaves; I really didn't.

_C. N_. Oh, dear me! Oh, dear me! She wants to get me away and murder
me! I won't go.

_M. P_. How _can_ you talk such nonsense? Why, on earth, should I
murder you?

_C. N_. (_sobbing_). Judicially, judicially!

_M. P_. How silly you are! I really don't know what you mean. Well, if
you won't come with me, I'm off; but you know where to go when you want
your dinner. But if you still owe me a grudge, which would be very silly
of you, any of the people in the houses yonder will give you your food.
[_Exit_.

_C. N_. There! She's going to fetch some ferocious revolutionaries to
make an end of me. It's no use trying to stop her now. I will flee in
another direction; perhaps I shan't always meet people I've sentenced.

[_As he is going he runs up against_ WILLIAM JOYCE, _once_ SOCIALIST
ENSIGN, _entering from the other side_.

_William Joyce_. Hilloa, citizen! look out! (_looking at him_) But I
say, what's the matter with you? You are queerly rigged. Why, I haven't
seen a man in such a condition for many a long day. You're like an
ancient ruin, a dream of past times. No, really I don't mean to hurt
your feelings. Can I do anything to help you?

[C. N. _covers his face with his hands and moans_.

_W. J_. Hilloa! Why, I'm blessed if it isn't the old bird who was on
the bench that morning, sentencing comrade Jack! What's _he_ been doing,
I wonder? I say, don't you remember me, citizen? I'm the character who
came in with the red flag that morning when you were playing the last of
your que