"I want a clean dicky, mother; I'm agoin'," said he.

And Deborah got out the old man's Sunday clothes for him without a word.

She even brushed his hair with hard, careful strokes, and helped him on with his great-coat; but she never said a word about Rebecca and her baby's funeral.
"They had some white posies on it," Caleb volunteered, tremblingly, when he got home.
Deborah made no reply.
"There was quite a lot there," added Caleb.
"Go an' bring me in some kindlin' wood," said Deborah.
Ephraim stood by, staring alternately at his father and mother.

He had watched the funeral procession pass with furtive interest.
"It won't hurt you none to make a few lamp-lighters," said his mother.

"You set right down here, an' I'll get you some paper." Ephraim clapped his hand to his side, and rolled his eyes agonizingly towards his mother, but she took no notice.