respectable burial, and to order some flowers to be strewed in the rough-boxes with the other unfortunates who would be taken to the Potter’s Field to-morrow. [Page 37] [Page 37] “Death is a horrible thing,” she remarked sadly, as they filed through the iron doors again. “It is, miss,” the keeper assented. “I’ve had charge of this here Morgue for these twenty years, still if I was to allow myself to think about death and the mystery of the hereafter, I’d go crazy.” “But the thought of Heaven. It is surely some consolation,” faltered Penelope. “Twenty years’ work in there,” nodding his head towards the throne where death sits always; where the only noise is the sound of the dripping water; “hasn’t left any fairy tales in my mind about what comes after. We live, and when we’re dead that’s the last of it. You can tell children about the ‘good man’ and ‘bad man’ and Heaven and—beggin’ your pardon—Hell, just the same as you tell them about Santa Claus, but when they grow up if they thinks for themselves they know its fairy[Page 38] tales—all fairy tales. When you’re dead, you’re dead, and that’s the last of it, take my word for that.” [Page 38] Penelope was not a religious fanatic, but her few pious beliefs experienced a little resentful shock at the man’s outspoken words. She haughtily drew her shoulders up, the kind expression faded from her face, leaving it less attractive, and she was conscious of a little feeling of repulsion for the unbelieving Morgue keeper. Not that the keeper’s ideas were so foreign to those that had visited her own mind. She had many times felt dubious on such subjects herself, but she had always felt it to be her duty to kill doubt and trust in that which was taught her concerning the life hereafter. Penelope joined her aunt and Richard Treadwell, where they stood under a shade tree opposite the Morgue waiting her. In a few words she told what she wished[Page 39] to do. Her kind aunt good naturedly encouraged her. Perhaps what they had seen had had a softening effect on her as well. [Page 39] Instead of driving home they drove to the coroner’s, and with the permit which they obtained without difficulty, to an undertaker’s, where the final arrangements were made for the
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