'Streets?' said Tomjon.
'Street,' corrected Granny. 'Also houses in quite good repair, stone's throw from river—'
'Throw?'
'Drop,' Nanny conceded. 'Neat middens, look, and extensive—'
'Madam, we've come to entertain the town, not buy it,' said Hwel.
Nanny Ogg looked sidelong at Tomjon.
'Just wanted you to see how attractive it is,' she said.
'Your civic pride does you credit,' said Hwel. 'And now, please, leave the cart. I'm sure you've got some wood to gather. Lawks.'
'Much obliged for the snack,' said Nanny, climbing down.
'Meals,' corrected Hwel.
Tomjon nudged him. 'You ought to be more polite,' he said. 'You never know.' He turned to Nanny. 'Thank you, good – oh, she's gone.'
'They've come to do a theatre,' said Nanny.
Granny Weatherwax carried on shelling beans in the sun, much to Nanny's annoyance.
'Well? Aren't you going to say something? I've been finding out things,' she said. 'Picking up information. Not sitting around making soup—'
'Stew.'
'I reckon it's very important,' sniffed Nanny.
'What kind of a theatre?'
'They didn't say. Something for the duke, I think.'
'What's he want a theatre for?'
'They didn't say that, either.'
'It's probably all a trick to get in the castle,' Granny said knowingly. 'Very clever idea. Did you see anything in the carts?'
'Boxes and bundles and such.'
'They'll be full of armour and weapons, depend upon it.'
Nanny Ogg looked doubtful.
They didn't look very much like soldiers to me. They were awfully young and spotty.'
'Clever. I expect in the middle of the play the king will manifest his destiny, right where everyone can see him. Good plan.'
'That's another thing,' said Nanny, picking up a bean pod and chewing it. 'He doesn't seem to like the place much.'
'Of course he does. It's in his blood.'
'I brought him the pretty way. He didn't seem very impressed.'
Granny hesitated.