them to think that I was afraid to talk of the Fixed Period. "Why
should you object to be cremated, Mr Puddlebrane," said I, "whether
like a big pig or otherwise? It has not been suggested that any one
shall cremate you while alive."

"Because my father and mother were buried. And all the Puddlebranes
were always buried. There are they, all to be seen in Puddlebrane
Church, and I should like to appear among them."

"I suppose it's only their names that appear, and not their bodies,
Mr Puddlebrane. And a cremated man may have as big a tombstone as
though he had been allowed to become rotten in the orthodox fashion."

"What Puddlebrane means is," said another, "that he'd like to have
the same chance of living as his ancestors."

"If he will look back to his family records he will find that they
very generally died before sixty-eight. But we have no idea of
invading your Parliament and forcing our laws upon you."

"Take a glass of wine, Mr President," said Lord Marylebone, "and
leave Puddlebrane to his ancestors. He's a very good Slip, though he
didn't catch Jack when he got a chance. Allow me to recommend you a
bit of ice-pudding. The mangoes came from Jamaica, and are as fresh
as the day they were picked." I ate my mango-pudding, but I did
not enjoy it, for I was sure that the whole crew were returning to
England laden with prejudices against the Fixed Period. As soon as I
could escape, I got back to the shore, leaving Jack among my enemies.
It was impossible not to feel that they were my enemies, as I was
sure that they were about to oppose the cherished conviction of my
very heart and soul. Crasweller had sat there perfectly silent while
Mr Puddlebrane had spoken of his own possible cremation. And yet
Crasweller was a declared Fixed-Periodist.

On the Friday, at two o'clock, the vessel sailed amidst all the
plaudits which could be given by mingled kettle-drums and trumpets,
and by a salvo of artillery. They were as good a set of fellows as
ever wore pink-flannel clothing, and as generous as any that there
are born to live upon _pate_ and champagne. I doubt whether there was
one among them who could have earned his bread in a counting-house,
unless it was Stumps the professional. When we had paid all honour
to the departing vessel, I went at once to Little Christchurch, and
there I found my friend in the verandah with Eva. During the last
month or two he seemed to be much older than I had ever before known
him,