"They have everything just as nice in Hobartown as they do in the city," said Mary. "Of course they would, because so many rich people live there. Anyhow, it shows that Miss Lilla's friends haven't any very deep feelings for her, or they wouldn't be thinking of making such a fuss. And such mourning! Oh my! Dresses covered with crape, veils down to the ground, and all."
"I wish we could go to see the funeral," said little Christopher. "I suppose Miss Hilliard wouldn't let us out?"
"Not she! She never will let any one have any fun that she can help," said Osric. "I think it is too bad."
"I don't call a funeral very great fun," said Alice Brown, rather indignantly. "I guess thee wouldn't think so, if it was thy sister that was to be buried instead of Miss Lilla."
"Rich folks don't have feelings like poor folks," said Mary, tossing her head. "They just like to make a show, that's all. I can't bear such people. They are always just as disagreeable as they can be."
"I am sure Miss Lilla was not disagreeable," remarked Elsie, who had come up in time to hear Mary's words. "She was just as lovely as she could be to everybody. Jeduthun Cooke says she used to have her Sunday-school class come to her room to recite for ever so long after she left off going to church, till she grew so weak, she could not bear it any longer. And I know how good she was to Mary Jane Hill all the time she was sick. She used to go and read to her by the hour, and she was always sending her nice things to eat, and taking her out riding in the carriage whenever she was able to go. Mrs. Hill told sister she should never forget what Miss Lilla had done for Mary Jane, and Mary Jane herself told sister that Miss Lilla had made death easy to her," added Elsie, in a low, reverent voice. "She said Miss Lilla first led her to see the Lord as her Saviour."
"But, now, Elsie, do you think it is quite right to spend so much money on a funeral?" asked Anna. "Hundreds of dollars for a coffin, just to be buried in the ground? What good will all that do Miss Lilla?"
"It won't do her any good, of course," replied Elsie, "but, I suppose, the friends find comfort in it. I know when our baby died, sister Avice sent and bought the muslin for a beautiful white frock, and sat up all night to make it. She let me buy the white ribbon for it, with my own money that aunt gave me, and it was a comfort," said Elsie, wiping away the tears that overflowed at the remembrance of the little baby-sister.
"But such a lot of money," said Anna. "Now, do you think it is right, Alice Brown?"
"I shouldn't feel free to do it," said Alice, who had been brought up among "Friends." "It is not our way, but thee knows, Anna, that we are not to judge one another. People see things in different lights. I don't doubt John Parmalee thinks it right, or he wouldn't do it, for he is a good man."