belonged to was a foot longer than Josue--he."

"But I made the most of Josue," continued the Master. "The mouth was
crooked, but he was clean, clean--I shaved him just in time. And he had
good hair for combing to a peaceful look, and he was light to carry--O my
good! Go on, what has Josue the centenier to say for himself?"

With a drawling dull indifference, the lank, hatchet-faced servitor of
the master servitor of the grave read off the items:

The Relict of Josue Anquetil, Centenier, in account with
Etienne Mahye, Master of Burials.

Item: Livres. Sols. Farth.
Paid to Gentlemen of Vingtaine, who
carried him to his grave .................. 4 4 0
Ditto to me, Etienne Mahye, for proper
gloves of silk and cotton ................. 1 0 0
Ditto to me, E. M., for laying of him
out and all that appertains ............... 0 7 0
Ditto to me, E. M., for coffin ............ 4 0 0
Ditto to me, E. M., for divers ............ 0 4 0


The Master of Burials interrupted. "Bat'dlagoule, you've forgot blacking
for coffin!"

The apprentice made the correction without deigning reply, and then went
on