The re-opening of the Dower House was already the all-engrossing topic of conversation among the old wives and young wives, fishers, farmers, tradesmen, loafers and small fry of Polkerran and the neighbourhood. The "wagon-full of females" of Sam’s kindling eye turned out to be one plump woman of forty and one slim maid of half that age, the cook and housemaid whom John Trevanion had engaged, as afterwards appeared, in a Devonshire village. On the same day two heavy wagons, each drawn by four enormous horses, arrived from Truro with furniture, kitchen utensils, and other things needed in setting up house, and on the next appeared a couple of riding-horses in charge of a lively young groom. These important events were retailed and freely commented on in the tap-room of the Five Pilchards. "We shall see brave doings up at the old house, neighbours," said Doubledick, the innkeeper, to the group of fishermen idling there. "Maister John is a fine feller, that he be. He were allers the chap for a randy, and ’twill be a rare change for we to have some one as will have feastings and merry-makings arter the miserable cold time we’ve had wi’ Squire." "’A must have a heap o’ gold and silver in his purse to pay for all they fine-lookin’ things we seed goin’ in," said one of the men. "Wheer ’d he get it all from, can ’ee tell us that, neighbour Doubledick?" "I might if I put my mind to it," said Doubledick sententiously. "But it don’t matter a mossel wheer it do come from; there ’tis, and we shall have the good o’t. The lord-lieutenant ’ll make un a magistrate, if I know the ways o’ providence, and I do know summat about ’em, neighbours all; and if any of ’ee are brought up afore un for a innocent bit o’ free-tradin’, he’ll not be the man to stretch the law against ’ee, not he." "’Tis a terrible affliction for Squire, to be sure," said another. "There be no loving-kindness ’twixt ’em, if all’s true as folks tell, and a dog can’t abide seein’ another run off with his bone, that bein’ my simple way of speech." "Squire be goin’ down, that’s the truth o’t," said Doubledick. "Well, some goes up and some goes down, and all gets level in churchyard." Sam Pollex lost no time in making acquaintance with the new household. On the day after their arrival he carried a basket of eggs to the back-door of the Dower House, and blushed to the roots of his hair when it was opened by a pretty Devonshire lass, who smiled sweetly on him, asked him the price, and said she would speak to Cook. "She will take them," said the girl on her return, "and bids me say you must come to-morrow and she’ll let ’ee know if any is addled. What be the name of ’ee, boy?" "Sam Pollex, ma’am," said Sam sheepishly. "And where do ’ee live?" "Up at Towers, yonder." "Well I never! Bean’t that where Maister’s cousin the Squire lives?" "Iss, him and me lives there, and the mistress, and Feyther, and Maister Dick."