-- Perhaps you can , said Peter . Do you sell needles and thread ?

-- Yes , we do . But what gauge would you be wanting ?

Peter looked a little nonplussed and seeing his puzzlement , the proprietress looked quizzically at him and smiled understandingly,

-- Ah , she said . You don't do a lot of sewing !

-- As little as I can , Peter replied ruefully . And only when I absolutely have to .

-- Like most men . You see , we have beading needles , embroidery needles . tapestry needles........ What exactly do you want to use them for ?

-- Oh , said Peter . I see . Well the shoulder seam of my favourite tee shirt has come apart ... It's not torn ... just coming loose , and I want to repair it before it splits any further .

-- Then , depending on how expert a job you want you'd probably need a medium gauge one , say a four or a five gauge . They would be best used for embroidery mind you , but they would likely do in a pinch .

-- I suppose that would okay then , said Peter . I could cobble it together till I got some repair shop to do it for me .

-- It doesn't sound like too big or too hard a job . I tell you what , if you don't think you can handle it , bring it along to me and I'll do it for you . Only cost you a bit more than the packet of needles and the thread and I'll do it on my machine at home .

-- That's very good of you , said Peter . I'm quite happy to pay for the job if you'll do it .

-- You'll be in the Village for a while , then ? Or are you in a hurry to move on ?

-- No , not at all . Actually I'm hoping to get a job here for a while.

-- Anything special in mind ?

-- Nope . I heard from the milkman that they might be hiring at the sweets factory , or the farmers might have need of a worker . By the way , I'm staying at the ...err ... Mr George's -- err ... Ernie's place . They seem nice there , and the room's cheap.

The proprietress looked almost as if she wished to ask how much it was actually costing him , but Peter kept his counsel.

Then a slightly mischievous glint appeared in the proprietress' eye .

-- You could always ask up at the Manor .

She gave the words a slightly ironic tone.

-- The Lady Nascent might find room for an employee .

-- I'll keep that in mind , said Peter, Thanks for the tip . Shall I mention you recommended it , if I go there ?

-- Oh no , said the woman , hastily . The Lady has a mind of her own. Pretty black and white about things . If you suited you'd probably be snapped up at once . If not ... well , she wouldn't put the dogs onto you , but I wouldn't hang around ...

-- I'll keep that in mind , said Peter . Now I'll go get that teeshirt .

-- Oh , I forgot this strap on my rucksack ... He picked it up from the floor . It might break too.

-- Beyond my expertise , said the woman , and my machine couldn't handle it either , but if you want to try for yourself these tapestry needles might work .

-- I'll take the packet then and some of your strongest thread . I'll be back in fifteen minutes or so .

-- Then you'll be just in time for a cup of morning coffee with me .

-- Sounds good !

And after paying for the needles and thread off Peter went , thinking to himself : I'd better get a packet of biscuits if I can . Can't go wrong with chocolate biscuits .