The Village Shop
One looks at the things in the window of a village shop not because one expects to find bargains but because it is only there that such odd articles are offered for sale. The village cannot provide a living for an ironmonger, a draper, a grocer, all under separate roofs, but it expects the shop to have what it wants. On Saturday the population may queue for the bus and takes its custom to the town, but on Monday someone breaks a bootlace or loses a collar-stud, or wants a moletrap or a ball of twine. In addition to meeting these requirements, the village sop handles the mail and,-Sells papers. Here one can learn of the good fortune of his neighbour, the downfall of a bad lot or the birth of twins at the back of beyond. The whisper that Dick has been "took up" for poaching is confirmed, and, here in Wales, the power of Sunday's sermon is considered. Two more buses morning and afternoon might reduce the sale of matches and starch, but the social atmosphere of the shop would hardly suffer at all, for a keen interest in the next man's affairs is the essence of life in a quiet place.
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