e at the town just as the Consul's
remains were being carried into the church. Now, it would scarcely do
for them to go through the town along the road leading to the cemetery,
which was strewn with green leaves, and with lilac and laburnum
blossoms, for Mr. Garman. There was, therefore, nothing for it but to
wait until the service was over. It was hot work carrying a coffin,
dressed in Sunday clothes, and they therefore put down their burden on
the steps of a cottage hard by, whilst several of them took off their
jackets in order to get a bit cooler.

On the opposite side of the street there was a small beerhouse. There
were several of them to whom a pint of beer would have been very
grateful, and who had the money in their pockets to pay for it; but
perhaps it would hardly do.

The sailors stood talking together, and turning their quids in their
mouths; dry in the throat were they, and opposite was the open door of
the beerhouse, with jugs and bottles on the counter. It looked so cool
and moist in there, and the street was perfectly empty, for all the
world was crowding to the cemetery. At length one slunk across the
street and sneaked in; two more followed. It seemed but too probable
that all the bearers would give way to the same temptation; so Tom
Robson went over to the group, and, putting a five-kroner note into the
hand of the eldest, said, "There! you can drink that, but on condition
that only two go in at a time."

The stipulation was agreed to without a murmur, and they took their
turns in the most orderly way. A great many pints of beer go to a
five-kroner note. Martin and Tom Robson resolutely turned their backs on
the temptation. Woodlouse resisted it for a long time, but in the end he
was obliged to give way. Torpander was sitting on a stone at the corner
of the cottage, gazing at the coffin. His silk handkerchief had, in
accordance with his earnest request, been allowed to follow Marianne to
the grave; and on the lid of the coffin, over her heart, lay a garland
which had cost him three kroner. This was the only adornment the coffin
possessed, for most of the flowers from the West End had been bought by
the townspeople for the Consul's funeral. Marianne would otherwise have
had plenty.

At length the people began to stream out of the church; those who were
with Marianne had to wait till the main procession arrived at the
cemetery. The seamen then, after moistening their palms in the usual
way, went o