Never before had a town felt so disgusted.
For several years the old cemetery remained an object of terror.
Although it adjoined the main thoroughfare and was open to all comers, it was left quite deserted, a prey to fresh vegetable growth.

The local authorities, who had doubtless counted on selling it and seeing houses built upon it, were evidently unable to find a purchaser.

The recollection of the heaps of bones and the cart persistently jolting through the streets may have made people recoil from the spot; or perhaps the indifference that was shown was due to the indolence, the repugnance to pulling down and setting up again, which is characteristic of country people.

At all events the authorities still retained possession of the ground, and at last forgot their desire to dispose of it.

They did not even erect a fence round it, but left it open to all comers.