There was something in this air which gave the inhaler the certainty of victory, the courage of battle and of unassailable youth.

Even old people, pausing to notice the streamer of crape on Abrahama White's door, felt triumphant and undaunted.

It did not seem conceivable, upon such a day, that that streamer would soon flaunt for them.
The streamer was rusty.

It had served for many such occasions, and suns and rains had damaged it.

People said that Martin Barnes, the undertaker, ought to buy some new crape.