ers. It struck me as strange that so many coaches
should be provided and that the last sad rites should partake of the
nature of a public spectacle, for surely when we have given our loved
ones into God's keeping it is most seemly to lay all that is human of
them in the lap of earth reverently and with simplicity; but the
Yorkshire folk make it an occasion of display, fearing, perhaps, to
dishonour their dead, and dreading even more the criticism and
displeasure of their neighbours.

When the grave had been filled in and the upturned earth was covered
with the evergreens and wreaths which loving hands had brought and left
there, I went and stood beside the grave and thought of Farmer Brown's
parting words. I suppose it is heretical to pray for the dead, but I
did it.

Yesterday I went to see Mrs. Brown, taking the photographs and a framed
enlargement with me. It was a hard tramp, and my arms ached before the
journey's end was reached, but I am wonderfully "fit" just now, and I
thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Well--perhaps I must modify that. There
was always present with me the anticipation of a depressing scene, and
that marred the enjoyment somewhat, though it could not destroy it.

Yet to feel the sting of a north-easterly wind on one's cheek, and the
sensation of crunching snow beneath one's feet, with a bright blue sky
overhead and the far-away smell of spring in one's nostrils, was to
experience something of the joy of life.

Here and there great drifts of snow were piled up against the banks and
walls, and I knew that sheep and even men were sometimes lost in them,
but I was safe enough, for the road was fairly well trodden, and when I
left it and climbed the stile into the fields leading to the farm the
track was quite discernible.

It is a mistake to anticipate, and to dread what lies behind the veil
is folly. Mrs. Brown taught me that in a very few moments. There was
no gloom about the kitchen where she and her daughter Jane, were busily
engaged in household duties, though somehow one felt that sorrow dwelt
there as a guest.

I explained the purpose of my visit, and the mother's eyes grew dim
with tears.

"He never breathed a word," she said; "but that was just Greenwood to
nowt. He was allus tryin' to do someb'dy a good turn, but so as they
shouldn't know it, and it was just like the dear lad to think o' them
he was goin' to leave, an' try to pleasure 'em."

"Perhaps you would rather open the p