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and pencils, never used, for members always had their own, but in her eyes the right and proper regalia for any committee. But, as she sank thankfully into her chair, she congratulated herself that all was as it should be and she looked forward to hearing the accustomed expressions of appreciation and confidence which she felt were certainly her due.
    The vicar and Col. Bradshaw were discussing the local agricultural show, the architect (who felt the cold) had secured the place nearest to the radiator and was fidgetingabout already with paper and pencil, Lady Merivale was condescending pleasantly towards Miss Hughes, when Mr Martin hurried in, having swallowed a hasty sandwich in the train on the way from another meeting. Immediately everyone stopped talking and Lady Merivale picked up her agenda paper and said:
    ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think perhaps we should begin. The first item for discussion, as you will see, is the matter of Mr Jackson’s bullocks.” Mr Jackson farmed the land adjoining The Haven. ‘They have apparently broken through the boundary fence and trampled over the copse. Miss Blackett reports that Fred Mills had great difficulty in chasing them back and that their hoof marks are all over the lawn, not to speak of damage done to the fruit trees and the copse.”
    Col. Bradshaw frowned, Miss Hughes murmured, “Dear, dear, what a pity!”, and Mr Martin said: ‘Madam Chairman, may I ask whose responsibility it is to keep the fence in good repair and could it reasonably be said to be an adequate protection before this invasion?”
    Col. Bradshaw said he was afraid the supports of the fence were on The Haven side of the ground, so legally the responsibility for the fence was not the farmer’s, but as far as he had ascertained, it was in a fair condition and the bullocks seemed of an exceptionally inquisitive and adventurous breed.
    The vicar said he supposed that lot would soon be sold and the trouble wasn’t likely to recur. But Mr Martin rustled through his papers, of which he always had a stack, and finding at last the one he wanted, said with some satisfaction:
    “Madam Chairman, it appears that this is not an isolated occurrence, in fact it might almost be said to be an annual event. Perhaps Miss Bredon will confirm this?”
    Honour, who had already been looking up past Minutes, agreed that earlier bullocks had acted in the same way at least twice before.
    Col. Bradshaw admitted that unfortunately Jackson owned a favourite cow, “a fine animal too”, who regularly produced a very agile and bold son who was a natural leader, and wherever this troublemaker led, the rest of the herd followed.
    The architect remarked that this behaviour was not peculiar to bullocks. Mr Martin ignored this irrelevance and asked what should be done to stop the nuisance.
    Miss Hughes echoed him with: “What indeed!”
    Col. Bradshaw said that what was really needed was electric wiring and Mr Martin said that it was only right that Jackson should contribute to this or sell his cow.
    Lady Merivale then proposed that Jackson should be approached by Col. Bradshaw as to the carrying out of some form of effective barrier between his field and the copse. Miss Hughes enthusiastically seconded the motion and the committee moved to the next item, which was the preliminary arrangements for the annual summer fête. The object of the fête was threefold – to arouse and maintain local interest in The Haven, to raise a sum of money for “extras” – no really substantial amount could be hoped for – and to give the ladies a chance to contribute articles for sale, so providing them with interest and suitable occupation and the satisfaction of feeling of use.
    “Well, Miss Blackett,” said Lady Merivale, “who can we count on among our flock?”
    “Mrs Perry will have some pot plants ready, I am sure, though I feel bound to say that she is not always prepared to give of her best.”
    “She regards them as her