'But it do seem more merciful than to go away and leave en, as they t'other fellers have done.' 'Now backalong to Newton, and by the time we get overright the pa'son's 'twill be half after twelve,' said the leader.
They had not, however, done more than gather up their instruments when the wind brought to their notice the noise of a vehicle rapidly driven up the same lane from Sidlinch which the gravediggers had lately retraced.
To avoid being run over when moving on, they waited till the benighted traveller, whoever he might be, should pass them where they stood in the wider area of the Cross.
In half a minute the light of the lanterns fell upon a hired fly, drawn by a steaming and jaded horse.

It reached the hand-post, when a voice from the inside cried, 'Stop here!' The driver pulled rein.

The carriage door was opened from within, and there leapt out a private soldier in the uniform of some line regiment.

He looked around, and was apparently surprised to see the musicians standing there.
'Have you buried a man here ?' he asked.
'No.

We bain't Sidlinch folk, thank God; we be Newton choir.