He had remembered that the sergeant had been buried without a coffin, and he was not sure that a stake had not been driven through him.

The business would be more troublesome than they had at first supposed.
'Yes, indeed!' murmured the rector.

'I am afraid it is not feasible after all.' The next event was the arrival of a headstone by carrier from the nearest town; to be left at Mr.Ezra Cattstock's; all expenses paid.

The sexton and the carrier deposited the stone in the former's outhouse; and Ezra, left alone, put on his spectacles and read the brief and simple inscription:- HERE LYETH THE BODY OF SAMUEL HOLWAY, LATE SERGEANT IN HIS MAJESTY'S -- -D REGIMENT OF FOOT, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECEMBER THE 20TH, 180-.
ERECTED BY L.H.
'I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED THY SON.' Ezra again called at the riverside rectory.

'The stone is come, sir.