visitor. "Now pray don't get excited—there has been an accident, and your husband—has—er—been hurt, you know." But for a painful whitening in her usually rosy face, and a quick compression of her lips, the wife made no sign. "What was the accident?" she queried,[Pg 133] leaning her elbows on her knees. [Pg 133] "Well, you see, I don't understand machinery and the like, but there was something about a wheel out of gear, and a band bursted, or something, anyhow a big wheel flew to pieces, and as he was standing near, he was hit." "Where?" "Well—well, I may as well tell you the truth, madam; a large piece of the wheel struck him on the head—and—he was killed instantly." She did not faint, nor make any outcry, nor tear her hair as he had partly expected, but sat still staring at him, with a sort of helpless, dumb horror shining out her eyes, then with a low moan, bowed her head on her knees and shuddered, just as Lillian came in, curious to know what the handsome stranger had to say to her mother. The poor mutilated body came home at last, and was laid in a stiff, silver-decorated, black coffin in the middle of the[Pg 134] sitting-room, which had been made to look as uncomfortable and unnatural as mirrors and furniture shrouded in sheets and mantel and tables divested of ornaments would permit. [Pg 134] There was a wake that night to the unconfined joy of the neighbors, who would rather a burial than a wedding. The friends of the family sat about the coffin, and through the house with long pulled faces. Mrs. Tuckley officiated in the kitchen, making coffee and dispensing cheese and crackers to those who were hungry. As the night wore on, and the first restraint disappeared, jokes were cracked, and quiet laughter indulged in, while the young folks congregated in the kitchen, were hilariously happy, until some member of the family would appear, when every face would sober down. The older persons contented themselves with recounting the virtues of the deceased, and telling anecdotes wherein he figured largely. It was astonishing[Pg 135] how many intimate friends of his had suddenly come to light. Every other man present had either attended school with him, or was a close companion until he died. Proverbs and tales and witty sayings were
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