The soul of the past, quickening the dull present, stirred him to lovely action.
He kissed the dead man's feet, and withdrew weeping.
Across the dresser Knapp was blubbering.
"E were a genelman," he repeated over and over again. "E were a genelman."
From the head of the table the Parson echoed him.
"He was a soldier and a gentleman; and he lies beside the bravest man and truest Christian who ever trod a deck."
He paused and they could hear the flutter of his breath.
"And now I am going to honour him as never foreigner was honoured yet."
He flung back the flag that shrouded the old fore-top-man, and spread it over both.
"In death we are all friends," he said, arranging it with tender fingers.
"Let us pray."