Лавка древностей

Chapter 54

           Buthewasdeaf;andwhenthesexton(whoperadventure,onapinch,mighthavewalkedamilewithgreatdifficultyinhalf-a-dozenhours)exchangedaremarkwithhimabouthiswork,thechildcouldnothelpnoticingthathedidsowithanimpatientkindofpityforhisinfirmity,asifhewerehimselfthestrongestandheartiestmanalive.

           ‘I’msorrytoseethereisthistodo,’saidthechildwhensheapproached.‘Iheardofnoonehavingdied.’

           ‘Shelivedinanotherhamlet,mydear,’returnedthesexton.‘Threemileaway.’

           ‘Wassheyoung?’

           ‘Ye-yes’saidthesexton;notmorethansixty-four,Ithink.David,wasshemorethansixty-four?’

           David,whowasdigginghard,heardnothingofthequestion.Thesexton,ashecouldnotreachtotouchhimwithhiscrutch,andwastooinfirmtorisewithoutassistance,calledhisattentionbythrowingalittlemoulduponhisrednightcap.

           ‘What’sthematternow?’saidDavid,lookingup.

           ‘HowoldwasBeckyMorgan?’askedthesexton.

           ‘BeckyMorgan?’repeatedDavid.

           ‘Yes,’repliedthesexton;addinginahalfcompassionate,halfirritabletone,whichtheoldmancouldn’thear,‘you’regettingverydeaf,Davy,verydeaftobesure!’

           Theoldmanstoppedinhiswork,andcleansinghisspadewithapieceofslatehehadbyhimforthepurposeandscrapingoff,intheprocess,theessenceofHeavenknowshowmanyBeckyMorganssethimselftoconsiderthesubject.

           ‘Letmethink’quothhe.‘Isawlastnightwhattheyhadputuponthecoffinwasitseventy-nine?’

           ‘No,no,’saidthesexton.

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