important doings in Stranleigh village should be unknown in London. "We've had brisk times with them workmen here, and there wasn't a room to let in the place; all taken up. They opened a branch of a bank at the post-office, and a clerk came down from county town every Friday, to pay off the men, but they're all gone now, worse luck! Rare times we did have!"
"Then the library is finished?"
"Yes. 'Twill be opened next Wednesday."
"Really?"
"Why, haven't you seen the bills? They're posted all over the place. Mr. Peter Barnacle is to make a speech, and your own factor, Mr. Wilson, will introduce him, and there's Bill Perkins's name in big letters."
"You astonish me. Is Bill to be there?"
"Yes; his name is printed out 'Mr. William Perkins,' and he's going to give an address on what books have done for him."
"Ah! And what have books done for him?"
"I suppose Bill means to tell us that on Wednesday. A good speaker is Bill, and fond o' reading, they say, along of being alone by himself"
"On other people's property?" suggested Stranleigh.
