She looked from one to another of the men, hunting for one who seemed to understand.
"That is so," replied one of them, "the river is unsightly. I'm glad I don't live near it. I don't think it's good for a body's health."
"We can't waste time on this," said one of the men impatiently. "Run away, little girl, and dream somewhere else. We have serious business for the village to attend to."
"This is serious business of the village," replied Rowena, and looking up and to the right, her eye happened to catch that of the man who had spoken of health.
"My aunt says there are laws. Aren't there any laws about keeping things clean?"
"Yes, of course there are. But how are you going to make people obey them?"
"I'm not going to," replied Rowena, seriously, "but you will, because unless you promise me, I'm going to find a lawyer."
The selectmen looked at one another.
"The young one is right," said one of them at last; "but why do you care so much, Rowena?"
"Because of the Princess Polawee," she replied. "The children used to call me Hyena until I learned about Love, and the Polawee has been muddied, and bad stuff and cans thrown into it until it looks just the way I used to feel. The Princess knew more about Love than any one who ever lived in this village, and for her sake I am asking you, who were chosen because you were wise men, to help the Polawee to be clean and happy again."