People called it the Wreck Ashore; but its real name, "Vital Spark, J.Job, Proprietor," was painted on its orange-coloured sides in letters of vivid blue, a blue not often seen except on ship's boats.

It disappeared every Tuesday and Saturday over the hill and into a mysterious country, from which it emerged on Mondays and Fridays with a fine flavour of the sea renewed upon it and upon Joby.

No other driver wore a blue guernsey, or rings in his ears, as Joby did.

No other van had the same mode of progressing down the street in a series of short tacks, or brought such a crust of brine on its panes, or such a mixture of mud and fine sand on its wheels, or mingled scraps of dry sea-weed with the straw on its floor.
"Will there be ships ?" Taffy asked.
"I dare say we shall see a few, out in the distance.

It's a poor, outlandish place.