"Then that was what those stones were used for that we saw on the bank of the river?"
"Yes."
"But what were those for that lie so far from the stream, on the high ground?"
"They were turned by a horse or mule, or by a number of men. We used those before the rains came to raise the stream so the mill could work. It is often very dry here in the autumn."
"Why don't you all turn to and build them up again, and use them in company?"
"We have no workmen; they have been conscripted, and are in the army, except a blacksmith, who was left to shoe the cattle and sharpen the plough-irons."
"Is there no stone-cutter? Why don't you make some mill-stones? I'm sure there are rocks enough. All turn to together, and at least set the smaller mills a-going, instead of working in this childish fashion."
The peasant scratched his head, and said, "The stone-cutter has been conscripted."
"Did you have a carpenter?"
"Yes."