And she did so . The carpenter believed everything that his wife said , and so he believed now that he was dead , and lay still and let her do as she pleased . She got her neighbours summoned , and they helped to lay him in the coffin -- it was one of those he himself had made ; but his wife had bored holes in it to let him get some air . She made a soft bed under him , and put a coverlet over him , and she folded his hands over his breast ; but instead of a flower or a psalm-book , she gave him a pint-bottle of brandy in his hands . After he had lain for a little he took a little pull at this , and then another and another , and he thought this did him good , and soon he was sleeping sweetly , and dreaming that he was in heaven . Meanwhile word had gone round the village that the carpenter was dead , and was to be buried next day . It was now the turn of the smith 's wife . Her husband was lying sleeping off the effects of a drinking bout , so she pulled off all his clothes and made him black as coal from head to foot , and then let him sleep till far on in the day . The funeral party had already met at the carpenter 's , and marched oft towards the church with the coffin , when the smith 's wife came rushing in to her husband . ` Gracious , man , ' said she , ` you are lying there yet ? You are sleeping too long . You know you are going to the funeral . ' The smith was quite confused ; he knew nothing about any funeral . ` It 's our neighbour the carpenter , ' said his wife , ` who is to be buried to-day . They are already half-way to church with him . ' ` All right , ' said the smith , ` make haste to help me on with my black clothes . ' ` What nonsense ! ' said his wife , ` you have them on already . Be off with you now . ' The smith looked down at his person and saw that he was a good deal blacker than he usually was , so he caught up his hat and ran out after the funeral .
This was already close to the church , and the smith wanted to take part in carrying the coffin , like a good XXXXX .
blacker flower neighbour neighbours nonsense party pint-bottle psalm-book right village