Lark Rise to Candleford2008

[while Dorcas is ill with flu, Laura has taken over the running of the post office. Many of the villagers have come into the shop to see how she is coping. Pearl and Ruby have joined the long queue]

Pearl Pratt:
Must we *really* stand here all day while every cottager in the district buys a single stamp?

Laura Timmins:
[smiling sweetly] Why, no, Ma'am. We provide a chair for customers whose age makes standing a difficulty. You may sit the process out if you wish.

[everyone in the queue smirks at this put-down]