The Close of the Day 



out in the most perfect manner. As being simpler, though, 

 alas ! much more affecting, the coffin, instead of being carried 

 in a hearse to its last resting-place, was placed on a bier, and 

 the men-servants on the place drew it to the churchyard. 

 From the butler and stud groom, to the youngest house and 

 stable hand, all shared in this last sad journey. 



As a personal request Mr. Lester, who had been my 

 brother's butler for many years previous, had begged to come 

 and take his place beside the bier, and through the kindness of 

 his present employer, Lady Battersea (the late Lord Battersea 

 and Lady Battersea, both dear friends of my brother and his 

 wife), he was able to be present. My sister-in-law bore herself 

 with her usual courage, but a sadder or more pathetic sight 

 it was never my lot to witness. 



Most of the floral tributes, which had been sent on before, 

 were grouped on a space at the back of the grave, and piled up 

 against the grey stones of the old church, forming a back- 

 ground of flowers, and carpeting the space around the grave. 

 All had been so carefully thought out and planned beforehand, 

 that there was no fuss or bustle, not the slightest hitch of any 

 kind in any of the sad proceedings, not a person had been 

 forgotten, not a detail ever so slight overlooked, not even a 

 flower crushed or out of its place. 



Luckily the day had fulfilled its early promise of " passing 

 fair," and although the gentle snowflakes fell intermittently, it 

 was in the same tender and kindly fashion that they had 

 displayed in the early morning. 



To say that the large Edmondthorpe church was filled is 

 inadequate to express the company present. Still this might 

 have been anticipated, seeing that on each side of the road to 

 the church, and for many yards beyond, innumerable motor 

 cars and vehicles of every description were crowded together. 



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