it belonged to the widow. Puggie had died in the morning, and was to be
buried in this part of the yard; the grandchildren of the widow (that is, of the
tanner’s widow, for Puggie had never been married) filled up the grave, and
it was a beautiful grave-it must have been quite pleasant to lie there.
The grave was bordered with pieces of flower-pots and strewn over with
sand; quite at the top they had stuck up half a beer bottle, with the neck
upwards, and that was not at all allegorical.
The children danced round the grave, and the eldest of the boys among
them, a practical youngster of seven years, made the proposition that there
should be an exhibition of Puggie’s burial-place for all who lived in the
lane; the price of admission was to be a trouser button, for every boy would
be sure to have one, and each might also give one for a little girl. This
proposal was adopted by acclamation.
And all the children out of the lane-yes, even out of the little lane at the
back-flocked to the place, and each gave a button. Many were noticed to go
about on that afternoon with only one suspender; but then they had seen
Puggie’s grave, and the sight was worth much more.
But in front of the tan-yard, close to the entrance, stood a little girl
clothed in rags, very pretty to look at, with curly hair, and eyes so blue and
clear that it was a pleasure to look into them. The child said not a word, nor
did she cry; but each time the little door was opened she gave a long, long
look into the yard. She had not a button-that she knew right well, and
therefore she remained standing sorrowfully outside, till all the others had
seen the grave and had gone away; then she sat down, held her little brown
hands before her eyes, and burst into tears; this girl alone had not seen
Puggie’s grave. It was a grief as great to her as any grown person can
experience.
We saw this from above; and looked at from above, how many a grief of
our own and of others can make us smile! That is the story, and whoever
does not understand it may go and purchase a share in the tan-yard from the
window.
