quietly if others did not think as he, that spirits were around
them. It had begun to grow dusk in the room, and although they
were mature men sitting in company, they almost felt themselves
frightened. Lars took a bundle of matches from his pocket and lit
a candle, somewhat dryly remarking that this was no more than they
had known beforehand.

"No," replied Canute, pacing the floor, "this is more than I knew
beforehand. Now I begin to think that even railroads can be bought
too dearly."

This electrified the audience, and Canute continued that the whole
affair must be reconsidered, and made a motion to that effect. In
the excitement which had prevailed, he said it was also true that
the benefit to be derived from the road had been considerably
overrated; for if it did not pass through the parish, there would
have to be a depot at each extremity; true, it would be a little
more trouble to drive there, than to a station within; yet not so
great as that for this reason they should dishonor the rest of the
dead. Canute was one of those who, when his thoughts were excited,
could extemporize and present most sound reasons; he had not a
moment previously thought of what he now said; but the truth of it
struck all. Lars, seeing the danger of his position, thought best
to be careful, and so apparently acquiesced in Canute's
proposition to reconsider; for such emotions, thought he, are
always strongest in the beginning; one must temporize with them.

But here he had miscalculated. In constantly increasing the dread
of touching their dead overswept the parish; what no one had
thought of as long as the matter existed only in talk became a