Now in her early teens; Laura moves to the village of Candleford Green to work in the post office under the tutelage of her cousin Dorcas Lane; and grow into womanhood. In Candleford Green; new ideas and new ways are coming in from the outside world; from Dorcas's famous telegraph machine to the scandalous sight of ladies riding bicycles. There are also new people entering Laura's life: the curmudgeonly old servant Zillah; the grand Sir Thomas; the Irish Harvesters and the ardent young gamekeeper Philip White. As Laura adjusts to this world; the traditions and ways of her country childhood seem further and further away – and a different future beckons.