PL A USIBLE POLL UTION 27 



he has a finger in the pie, or he would not be 

 so ready with his explanation. Otters and herons 

 are, doubtless, capable of inflicting very consider- 

 able damage on a river ; so also are kingfishers 

 (these latter must ever be free of the stream) ; but 

 otters and herons have always existed, and yet 

 there used to be plenty of trout also. How is 

 this argument to be overcome ? Again, do otters 

 and herons discolour the water, and choke up the 

 bed of the river with filthy slime ? No, my friend, 

 it is the doing of the chemical works or manufac- 

 turing company over there, in which you have a 

 share, or which you are well aware are now in 

 treaty with you for the purchase of those fields 

 upon which they want to build ; and well you 

 know it too no one knows it better but the 

 truth sticks in your throat and cannot escape 

 you. 



