One morning perhaps he would come in to talk with the squire about the ash wood they were going to cut in the ensuing winter, or about the oak bark which had not been paid for.

Or it might be the Alderney cow or the poultry at the Home Farm, or a few fresh tiles on the roof of the pig-sty, which was decaying.

A cart wanted a new pair of wheels or a shaft.

One of the tenants wanted a new shed put up, but it did not seem necessary; the old one would do very well if people were not so fidgety.

The wife or daughter of one of the cottage people was taking to drink and getting into bad ways.