There was but one small spot, and this he quickly put right.
Even the seasoned oak, however, is not always true, and to be certain on the point Tibbald had a millstaff prover.

This is of rigid steel, and the staff is put on it; if any daylight is visible between the two the staff is not accurate--so delicately must these great stones be adjusted for successful grinding.
The largest of them are four feet two inches diameter; and dangerous things they are to move, for if the men do not all heave or 'give' at the same moment the stone may slip, and the edge will take off a row of fingers as clean as the guillotine.

Tibbald, of course, had his joke about that part of the machinery which is called the 'damsel.' He was a righteous man enough as millers go, but your miller was always a bit of a knave; nor could he forbear from boasting to me how he had been half an hour too soon for Hilary last Overboro' market.
He said the vast water-wheel was of elm, but it would not last so long up so near the springs.

Upon a river or brook the wheel might endure for thirty years, and grind corn for a generation.

His millpond was close to the spring-head, and the spring-water ate into the wood and caused it to decay much quicker.