"What can I do for you?" he asked curtly.
"My ditch has gone half dry," Casey replied. "I observe, too, that the river is lower than usual; which, of course, accounts for the ditch. It occurred to me that perhaps you might account for the river."
"We have begun to take water for our lands," Farwell told him. "Possibly that has something to do with it."
"I shouldn't wonder," Casey agreed dryly. "Why are you taking water now?"
"That," said Farwell deliberately, "is entirely our own affair."
"It affects us. You can't possibly use the water, because your lands are not cultivated."
"The water benefits the land," Farwell rejoined coldly. "It shows intending purchasers that we are actually delivering a sufficient quantity of water. Our use of it is legitimate."
"It's a low-down, cultus trick, if you ask me!" McHale interjected forcefully.
"I didn't ask you," snapped Farwell; "but I'll tell you what I'll do. You make another remark like that, and I'll fire you out through that door."
McHale ignored Casey's significant glance.