Or how would the birds fare, were the fountains on the islands dry in the hot summer?
And what would the children say if he ceased to spout?
And how would my lord's tables fare, with the armed men besetting every gate, the fish-ponds dry, and the fish rotting in the sun?
See you, mistress Dorothy?
And for the draw-well, know you not wherein lies the good of a tower stronger than all the rest?
Is it not built for final retreat, the rest of the castle being at length in the hands of the enemy?
Where then is your draw-well ?' 'But this tower, large as it is, could not receive those now within the walls of the castle,' said Dorothy.
'They will be fewer ere its shelter is needful.' It was his tone quite as much as the words that drove a sudden sickness to the heart of the girl: for one moment she knew what siege and battle meant.

But she recovered herself with a strong effort, and escaped from the thought by another question.
'And whence comes all this water, my lord ?' she said, for she was one who would ask until she knew all that concerned her.
'Have you not chanced to observe a well in my workshop below, on the left-hand side of the door, not far from the great chest ?' 'I have observed it, my lord.' 'That is a very deep well, with a powerful spring.

Large pipes lead from all but the very bottom of that to my fire-engine.

The fuller the well, the more rapid the flow into the cistern, for the shallower the water, the more labour falls to my giant.

He is finding it harder work now.