going on their last drive with a step full of pride and solemnity.  It happened most awkwardly that Marianne had also to be buried that day.  Martin had tried his best to prevent the contretemps, but the answer which he had received from the authorities was, that it was impossible to make an exception on his account; that the present arrangement would be most convenient for all parties, and particularly so, because it would save the clergyman a double journey to the cemetery; besides, there would be only the simple funeral service, and no address would be given.

Very well, then; since there would be no address the funeral would take place on Saturday, between twelve and two.

Outside Begmand’s cottage a group of young seafaring men were assembling.  There were a few relations from the town, and some of Marianne’s acquaintances, such as Tom Robson, Torpander, and Woodlouse.  Anders Begmand was not there:  no amount of persuasion could prevent him from following the Consul’s funeral.

At Marianne’s funeral there was no undertaker to regulate the pace of the procession, and the young sailors stepped out briskly with the coffin.  They thus managed to arrive 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.”