Originally published in 1942, this is the story of a full life in an English community (as The Village Carpenter was) lived first and told afterwards, from within. Walter Rose ranges over the whole life of man-next-door-to-the-fields, the play of children and adults, as well as the never-ending work that is the life and topic of such a society. He writes from a full mind, liking the things and days while he is recalling them. The amusing superficialities turn out to be vital processes; the holiday look gives way; the reader never gets back to tell his friends in the street about it; he stays and helps.