CHAPTER VI

THE SERVICES


The blacks were outside the house, and the whites inside, when Jake
drove his shay to the door, and the Rev. Mr. Mason alighted, wiping the
sweat from his face and looking around with a good deal of curiosity. A
mulatto boy came forward to take charge of the mule, and Jake ushered
the minister into the room where the coffin stood, and where were the
four men he had asked to be bearers.

"I s'pose I'd or'ter of had six," he said in a whisper; "but she's so
light, four can tote her easy, an' they's all very 'spectable. No
low-downs. I means everything shall be fust-class."

Wrapped in shawls, with her head nodding up and down, old Mrs. Harris
sat, more deaf and more like a dried mummy than she had been on the
occasion of the stranger's visit. Jake had bought her an ear trumpet,
but she seldom used it, unless compelled by Mandy Ann, who now sat near
her with the little girl who, at sight of Jake, started to meet him.
But, Mandy Ann held her back and whispered, "Can't you done 'have
yerself at yer mammy's funeral an' we the only mourners?"

The child only understood that she was to keep quiet, and sat down in
her little chair, while Jake motioned to Mr. Mason that he was to see