Thursday
noon
I have already dwelt on the circumstances attending the death of Grace longer than I intended , and shall now cease to harass my own feelings , or to distress those of my readers by unnecessarily enlarging on more of the details . The next three or four days produced the usual calm ; and though it was literally years ere Lucy or myself ceased altogether to weep for her loss , we both obtained the self-command that was necessary for the discharge of our ordinary duties . Grace , it will be remembered , died of a Sunday , about the usual hour for dinner . Agreeably to the custom of the country , in which there is usually a little too much of an indecent haste in disposing of the dead , owing in some degree to climate , however , the funeral would have taken place on Wednesday , and that would have been delaying twenty-four hours longer than might have been granted in most cases ; but Mr. Hardinge , who gave all the directions , had named Thursday noon as the hour for the interment . We had few relatives to expect ; most of those who would have been likely to attend , had circumstances admitted of it , living in distant places that rendered it inconvenient , and indeed scarcely possible . I passed most of the intervening time in my study , reading and indulging in such contemplations as naturally suggest themselves to the mourner . Lucy , dear girl , had written me two or three short notes , asking my wishes on various points ; among other things , when I wished to pay a last visit to the body .