Of course, my dearest Fanny, a self-respecting Public Sentiment could not stand that.

It was insulting to the public, which manifested so profound an interest in the tower, that the immediate neighbor should preserve so strict a silence, and such a perfectly tranquil mind.

There are but two theories possible in regard to that man, said the self-respecting Public Sentiment: he is either a fool or a knave--probably a little of each.

In any case he must be dealt with.

So Public Sentiment accosted the farmer, and asked him if he were not aware that a mysterious tower was going up close to him, and that the public curiosity was sadly exercised about it?
He replied that he was blessed with tolerable eyesight, and had seen the tower from the very first stone upward.