CHAPTER XXIV
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ValancyherselfmadeCissyreadyforburial.Nohandsbuthersshouldtouchthatpitiful,wastedlittlebody.Theoldhousewasspotlessonthedayofthefuneral.BarneySnaithwasnotthere.HehaddoneallhecouldtohelpValancybeforeit—hehadshroudedthepaleCeciliainwhiterosesfromthegarden—andthenhadgonebacktohisisland.Buteverybodyelsewasthere.AllDeerwoodand“upback”came.TheyforgaveCissysplendidlyatlast.Mr.Bradlygaveaverybeautifulfuneraladdress.ValancyhadwantedheroldFreeMethodistman,butRoaringAbelwasobdurate.HewasaPresbyterianandnoonebutaPresbyterianministershouldburyhisdaughter.Mr.Bradlywasverytactful.Heavoidedalldubiouspointsanditwasplaintobeseenhehopedforthebest.SixreputablecitizensofDeerwoodboreCeciliaGaytohergraveindecorousDeerwoodcemetery.AmongthemwasUncleWellington.
TheStirlingsallcametothefuneral,menandwomen.Theyhadhadafamilyconclaveoverit.SurelynowthatCissyGaywasdeadValancywouldcomehome.ShesimplycouldnotstaytherewithRoaringAbel.
