J. Wesley Rosenquest

“ All silent, the group of men reached the end of the path and tried the door. It was open, and quietly they entered. Father Josef in the lead. They passed through a long, dark hall, at the end of which was a door leading into the parlor. Light gleamed through the crack along the floor. As they approached they heard the muffled sound of low praying, mingled with sobs.
Father Josef opened the door carefully and tiptoed in, followed by the five other villagers. They crossed themselves in unison.
By a simple, black coffin of wood knelt Fraulein Feldenpflanz. ”

“ And a learned man, too. He went to the University of Berlin for four years, and knew more than any other man in Rotfernberg. Yes indeed, a very fine man.”
The tailor blew his nose with vigor, and his listeners did likewise.
"And poor Fräulein Feldenpflanz! She loved her brother very dearly. She has no one else in the world. What will she do now?”
The tailor and his listeners all shook their heads sadly.
"Even now she sits beside him. For two days she has watched him, lying like life, so calm, and prays for his soul. We all know how he drifted away from God. ”

“ See, my friends, there lies the Feldenpflanz dwelling. When we enter let us conduct ourselves with fitting dignity and propriety. We must not speak to the bereaved fräulein when we enter, but gather around the coffin and pray with her. ”