At meal-times, as on the present occasion, he generally smoked, apparently lost in thought and unconscious of his surroundings.
Most of the others also lit their pipes and a desultory conversation ensued.
'Is the gent what's bought this 'ouse any relation to Sweater the draper ?' asked Payne, the carpenter's foreman.
'It's the same bloke,' replied Crass.
'Didn't he used to be on the Town Council or something ?' ''E's bin on the Council for years,' returned Crass.

''E's on it now.
'E's mayor this year.

'E's bin mayor several times before.' 'Let's see,' said Payne, reflectively, ''e married old Grinder's sister, didn't 'e?
You know who I mean, Grinder the greengrocer.' 'Yes, I believe he did,' said Crass.
'It wasn't Grinder's sister,' chimed in old Jack Linden.

'It was 'is niece.

I know, because I remember working in their 'ouse just after they was married, about ten year ago.' 'Oh yes, I remember now,' said Payne.