"He'm the grandson of Eli Brock, and he sings in the choir."
Mrs. Drake expressed her approval, but required to know more about the family before she could issue a permit to Sidney entitling him to drink coffee.
"They'm the new folk to Black Anchor," explained Bessie. "Mr. Brock used to keep a post office, they ses, but it failed, and now he'm farming wi' Sidney, and they ha' got no woman, and they took Black Anchor because 'twas to be had vor nothing nearly, and 'tis wonderful, Robert ses, what a lot they ha' done already."
"The post office failed!" exclaimed Miss Yard, who had been listening intently with a hand behind her ear. "What a pity! Now I shan't be able to write any more letters."
"Mr. Brock's post office, miss," cried Bessie. "It was a shop as well, but it didn't pay."
"How much does he want?" asked Miss Yard, searching for her reticule.
"Nothing, miss."
"What's he come for then? I hope he hasn't brought a telegram."
"He's one of the choirmen, Sophy," exclaimed Mrs. Drake, adding, "But I don't know why he should come here."
"He's just brought your Nellie home," said Kezia.