Some of the good villagers were averse to personal activity and feared the new order of things might disturb their comfort; in others a mild ambition had been awakened.

But while they feasted at Mr.Merrick's expense and gravely canvassed the situation, the newly installed electric lights suddenly failed.

Darkness fell upon the assemblage and there was an awed hush until Sam Cotting lighted the old reliable kerosene lamps.
Joe Wegg was as much astonished as anyone.
"There has been an accident to the machinery," he said to Mr.Merrick.
"I'll run over to the mill and see what has happened." "I will go with you," said Arthur Weldon, and Major Doyle also decided to accompany the young man.
Uncle John and his three nieces remained in the hall, and Mr.Merrick took occasion to make a little speech in which he explained that a hitch in the working of the electric plant was liable to happen at first, but after a few days the dynamos could be fully depended upon.
He had scarcely finished this explanation when Arthur came running back into the hall in much excitement.

He approached Mr.Merrick and said in a low voice: "The machinery is all right, sir.

Some one has cut the wires." "Cut the wires!" "Yes.