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came； however； when he had to take up his ruler； and now again
came the strange rap； and again Gyp howled。 Adam was at the
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door without the loss of a moment； but again all was still； and the
starlight showed there was nothing but the dew…laden grass in
front of the cottage。
Adam for a moment thought uncomfortably about his father；
but of late years he had never come home at dark hours from
Treddleston； and there was every reason for believing that he was
then sleeping off his drunkenness at the “Waggon Overthrown。”
Besides； to Adam； the conception of the future was so inseparable
from the painful image of his father that the fear of any fatal
accident to him was excluded by the deeply infixed fear of his
continual degradation。 The next thought that occurred to him was
one that made him slip off his shoes and tread lightly upstairs； to
listen at the bedroom doors。 But both Seth and his mother were
breathing regularly。
Adam came down and set to work again； saying to himself； “I
won’t open the door again。 It’s no use staring about to catch sight
of a sound。 Maybe there’s a world about us as we can’t see； but th’
ear’s quicker than the eye and catches a sound from ’t now and
then。 Some people think they get a sight on ’t too； but they’re
mostly folks whose eyes are not much use to ’em at anything else。
For my part； I think it’s better to see when your perpendicular’s
true than to see a ghost。”
Such thoughts as these are apt to grow stronger and stronger as
daylight quenches the candles and the birds begin to sing。 By the
time the red sunlight shone on the brass nails that formed the
initials on the lid of the coffin； any lingering foreboding from the
sound of the willow wand was merged in satisfaction that the work
was done and the promise redeemed。 There was no need to call
Seth； for he was already moving overhead； and presently came
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downstairs。
“Now； lad；” said Adam； as Seth made his appearance； “the
coffin’s done； and we can take it over to Brox’on； and be back
again before half after six。 I’ll take a mouthful o’ oat…cake； and
then we’ll be off。”
The coffin was soon propped on the tall shoulders of the two
brothers； and they were making their way； followed close by Gyp；
out of the little woodyard into the lane at the back of the house。 It
was but about a mile and a half to Broxton over the opposite slope；
and their road wound very pleasantly along lanes and across
fields； where the pale woodbines and the dog…roses were scenting
the hedgerows； and the birds were twittering and trilling in the tall
leafy boughs of oak and elm。 It was a strangely mingled picture—
the fresh youth of the summer morning； with its Eden…like peace
and loveliness； the stalwart strength of the two brothers in their
rusty working clothes； and the long coffin on their shoulders。 They
paused for the last time before a small farmhouse outside the
village of Broxton。 By six o’clock the task was done the coffin
nailed down； and Adam and Seth were on their way home。 They
chose a shorter way homewards； which would take them across
the fields and the brook in front of the house。 Adam had not
mentioned to Seth what had happened in the night； but he still
retained sufficient impression from it himself to say； “Seth； lad； if
Father isn’t come home by the time we’ve had our breakfast； I
think it’ll be as well for thee to go over to Treddles’on and look
after him； and thee canst get me the brass wire I want。 Never mind
about losing an hour at thy work； we can make that up。 What dost
say？”
“I’m willing；” said Seth。 “But see what clouds have gathered
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since we set out。 I’m thinking we shall have more rain。 It’ll be a
sore time for th’ haymaking if the meadows are flooded again。 The
brook’s fine and full now： another day’s rain ’ud cover the plank；
and we should have to go round by the road。”
They were coming across the valley now； and had entered the
pasture through which the brook ran。
“Why； what’s that sticking against the willow？” continued Seth；
beginning to walk faster。 Adam’s heart rose to his mouth： the
vague anxiety about his father was changed into a great dread。 He
made no answer to Seth； but ran forward preceded by Gyp； who
began to bark uneasily； and in two moments he was at the bridge。
This was what the omen meant； then！ And the grey…haired
father； of whom he had thought with a sort of hardness a few
hours ago； as certain to live to be a thorn in his side was perhaps
even then struggling with that watery death！ This was the first
thought that flashed through Adam’s conscience； before he had
time to seize the coat and drag out the tall heavy body。 Seth was
already by his side； helping him； and when they had it on the
bank； the two sons in the first moment knelt and looked with mute
awe at the glazed eyes； forgetting that there was need for action—
forgetting everything but that their father lay dead before them。
Adam was the first to speak。
“I’ll run to Mother；” he said； in a loud whisper。 “I’ll be back to
thee in a minute。”
Poor Lisbeth was busy preparing her sons’ breakfast； and their
porridge was already steaming on the fire。 Her kitchen always
looked the pink of cleanliness； but this morning she was more than
usually bent on making her hearth and breakfast…table look
comfortable and inviting。
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