About this story
When her charwoman comes bidding sixpence against your shilling cookery book, you carry it over yourself that evening — and end up giving it away outright while Violet complains that her new street has crowds, dirt, and not one decent place to sit. You part having agreed to walk the square tomorrow and let its broken windowpanes settle the argument.
How it opens
Autumn traffic hammered King's Cross Road while the Underground trembled below it.
You paused halfway up the twenty broad steps between your shop and Riceyman Square.
Those cheap books can bear a little rain before I move the stand.
Dr RasteIs this shop attended, or must a customer begin by finding its owner?
Choose
I will attend the customer; a little rain rarely ruins a cheap volume.
One moment, sir, while I move the exposed stand under the awning.