At one end is a broad table and some comfortable chairs behind it.

In front of each chair, on the table, two sheets of clean foolscap have been placed on a sheet of blotting-paper.

These and a variety of printed forms were taken from the clumsy box that is now open.
At last there is a slight stir as a group is seen to emerge from the inn, and the magistrates take their seats.

An elderly man who sits by the chair cocks his felt hat on the back of his head: the clerical magistrate very tenderly places his beaver in safety on the broad mantelpiece, that no irreverent sleeve may ruffle its gloss: several others who rarely do more than nod assent range themselves on the flanks; one younger man who looks as if he understood horses pulls out his toothpick.

The chairman, stout and gouty, seizes a quill and sternly looks over the list of cases.
Half a dozen summonses for non-payment of rates come first; then a dispute between a farmer and his man.