“I consoled myself with a rare bout of gossip with the piano-tuner, rather a dear little man, with up-turned, waved mustaches, bright bird-like eyes, a slightly lisping manner of speech, which recalled his great days in London and rubbing shoulders with celebrities. He had been piano-tuner to some well-known pianist — I think {{w|Adela Verne}} — of a previous generation. From him I heard the gossip of county society, and life at {{w|Truro}}, our cathedral city.”