“ ‘It’s⁠—it’s⁠—very curious, Sir,’ replied the sexton, half dead with fright; ‘very curious, and very pretty, but I think I’ll go back and finish my work, Sir, if you please.’

“ ‘Work!’ said the goblin, ‘what work?’

“ ‘The grave, Sir; making the grave,’ stammered the sexton.

“ ‘Oh, the grave, eh?’ said the goblin; ‘who makes graves at a time when all other men are merry, and takes a pleasure in it?’

“Again the mysterious voices replied, ‘Gabriel Grub! Gabriel Grub!’

“ ‘I am afraid my friends want you, Gabriel,’ said the goblin, thrusting his tongue farther into his cheek than ever⁠—and a most astonishing tongue it was⁠—‘I’m afraid my friends want you, Gabriel,’ said the goblin.