y in producing the requisite number of coins for
the carriage that it was evident the potash could not be sent by train
too; but Trenholme was familiar now with the mode of life that could
give time of man and beast so easily, and find such difficulty in
producing a little money of far less value. He did remark that, as the
cart was to complete the journey, the coffin might as well travel the
second day as it had done the first; but, Saul showed reluctance to hear
this expostulation, and certainly it was not the station-master's
business to insist. The whole discussion did not take long. Saul was
evidently in a haste not usual to such as he, and Trenholme felt a
natural desire to sit down to his tea, the cooking of which filled the
place with grateful perfume. Saul's haste showed itself more in nervous
demeanour than in capacity to get through the interview quickly. Even
when the money was paid, he loitered awkwardly. Trenholme went into his
store-room, and threw open its double doors to the outside air.

"Help me in with it, will you?"

It was the pleasant authority of his tone that roused the other to
alacrity. They shouldered the coffin between them. The store-room was
fairly large and contained little. Trenholme placed the coffin
reverently by itself in an empty corner. He brought a pot of black paint
and a brush, and printed on it the necessary address. Then he thought a
moment, and added in another place the inscription--"Box containing
coffin--to be handled with care."

It is to be remarked how dependent we are for the simplest actions on
the teaching we have had. Never having received the smallest instruction
as to how to deal with such a charge, it cost him effort of thought and
some courage to put on this inscription. Saul watched, divided between
curious interest and his desire to be away.

"You've got another coffin inside this case, of course?" said the
station-master, struck with a sudden doubt.

To him, polished wood and silver plating seemed such a natural accessory
of death that he had, without thought, always associated the one idea
with the other.

"No, that's all there is. We made it too large by mistake, but we put a
bed quilt in for stuffing."

"But, my man, it isn't very well put together; the lid isn't tight."

"No--neither it is." Saul had already sidled to the door.

Trenholme felt it with his thumb and fingers.

"It's perfectly loose," he cried. "It's only got a few nails in the lid