THE CLOCKS OF RONDAINE
This story naturally leads to the history of clocks and time-pieces of various kinds, from the crude hour-glass, the burning candle graduated to last a certain time, the water-clock, much the same as the hour-glass, and the dial on which the shadow of the sun is traced, down to the clocks which we have now, and especially those of finest mechanism and beautiful ornamentation.
The industry of clock-making is a very important one. In the United States it has been built up almost entirely in the last sixty years.
Many years ago clock movements were made of wood; now they are made, as every child knows, of metal, which is cheaper to manufacture and more durable.
In the days of the Revolution many clocks were made in Connecticut, using no machinery in their manufacture, but cutting the wheels and teeth with a saw and jack-knife. Then the makers would travel to the more recently settled country and sell these crude wooden clocks for twenty-five dollars apiece.
A description and pictures of the Strasbourg Clock could be made interesting here.
In what part of the world do you think Rondaine was?
What characteristics should you expect to find in the people of a town containing so many clocks?
What particular occupations should you expect to find these people following?
For which did the people care more, clocks or time?
We thought, in the early part of the story, that Arla was the only person in all Rondaine who cared to know the correct time. Do you still think so, after finishing the story?
Suppose we followed the reasoning of the little old lady with white hair, saying that what was good enough for our grandfathers is good enough for us, how would it affect the world?
Is there anything in this story that seems improbable, that is, does it seem like a true story?
What truth does it leave with us?