in etiquette how far one ought to show respect to one's own mortal
remains."

Disregard for mortuary convention was carried to further lengths next
day; during the absence of the family at the funeral ceremony the
remaining survivors of the speckled Sussex were massacred. The
marauder's line of retreat seemed to have embraced most of the flower
beds on the lawn, but the strawberry beds in the lower garden had also
suffered.

"I shall get the otter hounds to come here at the earliest possible
moment," said Egbert savagely.

"On no account! You can't dream of such a thing!" exclaimed Amanda. "I
mean, it wouldn't do, so soon after a funeral in the house."

"It's a case of necessity," said Egbert; "once an otter takes to that
sort of thing it won't stop."

"Perhaps it will go elsewhere now there are no more fowls left,"
suggested Amanda.

"One would think you wanted to shield the beast," said Egbert.

"There's been so little water in the stream lately," objected Amanda; "it
seems hardly sporting to hunt an animal when it has so little chance of
taking refuge anywhere."

"Good gracious!" fumed Egbert, "I'm not thinking about sport. I want to
have the animal killed as soon as possible."