cartload doublequick. Thousands every hour. Too many in the world.
Mourners came out through the gates: woman and a girl.
- Leanjawed harpy, hard woman at a bargain, her bonnet awry.
- Girl’s face stained with dirt and tears, holding the woman’s arm looking up at her for a sign to cry.
- Fish’s face, bloodless and livid.
The mutes shouldered the coffin and bore it in through the gates.
So much dead weight. Felt heavier myself stepping out of that bath.
First the stiff: then the friends of the stiff. Corny Kelleher and the boy followed with their wreaths.
Who is that beside them? Ah, the brother-in-law.
All walked after.
Martin Cunningham whispered:
―I