How do I set up alpine to read local Unix generated mail

Linux delivers mail to home directory: /home/linker/Maildir under which are 3 directories new, cur, tmp. When I type mail I get mail: /home/linker/Maildir/: Is a directory, which is not useful. I have installed alpine but can't get it access the Maildir directory (above) to read the mails in new. I guess its all about the .pinerc