'The dues to the Commune are so heavy,' he said, 'that in fact there is little or nothing to be made out of the timber.

It looks like a business, because many men are employed, and it's a kind of thing that spreads itself, and bears looking at.

But it leaves nothing behind.' 'It's not quite so bad as that, I hope,' said George.
'Upon my word then it is not much better, my boy.

When you've charged yourself with interest on the money spent on the mills, there is not much to boast about.

You're bound to replant every yard you strip, and yet the Commune expects as high a rent as when there was no planting to be done at all.