Willie Kohlmann works behind the counter of his father's shop in the Victorian country town of Bullawollock, getting all the experience he can. But some of his experiences were more than he'd bargained for. Was the depressed customer going to hang himself with that length of rope, or was it for something less  gruesome? And how was he to know what would happen when he sold Albie Greschke a tin of tar?  A wryly humorous portrait of country life between the wars. The general store was the place for gossip, discussions and confrontations and the high spots in life were the dances, football matches and obligatory church attendance. The characters are recognisable - brash young men, the local girls, the hardworking farmers and their families, the Chairman of the Football Club and the patient, fatherly Lutheran pastor.