Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/236

 Lucy shuddered, and filled the shovel, but the clay fell from it, and only a stone rattled down. She stepped aside.

Then there was a rattling in the grave,—the old grave-digger was peacefully finishing the work. The people went away, some home, some to visit other graves. Only the old mother remained, looking with glassy eyes at the growing heap. She no longer sobbed. Her drooping hands were clasped, and her head bent low.

The grave was filled: Lucy heard the grave-digger say: “To-morrow, Mother, I will put the sod over it, and we will surround the grave with stones, and you may bring some flowers.”

The old woman unconsciously and gently nodded her head.

Lucy watched the expression of her face. Her brow, her temples, her cheekbones reminded her of the dead man.

As if feeling that glance of hers, the old woman lifted her eyes. Wonderment