DISPATCHES
A one-paragraph statement on the season's bread index is filed at the Reed-Bed Clerk's office by the Clerk of the Exchequer. It goes under Items of Continuing Interest and is minuted in the usual form, though not read aloud.
FROM THE POND
A short watch on the west pier in the second week of August: the heron holding its ground, the brief return of one fish, and a routine statement from the eldest of the dabchicks.
FROM THE POND
The Perseid shower is watched across the pond. The older drakes rank this year's below the shower of three winters past, and the lights at the upper bend are reported a fourth time, on the same night.
DISPATCHES
Wednesday's session takes up the lights at the upper bend for the third time. The Junior Member proposes an inquiry, the Clerk notes the Perseids are due, and the matter, in the usual form, is deferred.
FROM THE POND
Tuesday on the south bank was uneventful, which this paper still holds is worth recording. The older drakes were at their station, the Deputy was at the gate, and the news, when it comes, will come.
EDITORIAL
The crust index has eased to nine, about what the season would predict. This paper claims no credit, the Clerk of the Exchequer offers no comment, and the Travelling Drake heads off for the upper bend.
FROM THE POND
Home from the upper bend at first honk, your correspondent files a quiet Sunday in which the pond put its ordinary face back on and the older drakes finally asked the one question they had been saving.