Michael died suddenly and quite definitely, and when consciousness returned to him, he immediately realized where he was. The coffin swayed and tilted on the shoulders of the four bearers, and Michael's body slammed against the cramped walls. At first he lay quietly, since it is never excluded that this was simply a dream. But Michael heard the priest chanting very close by, and the gravel creaking under the feet of the porters, and something like the ringing of bells (it must have been Sandra crying), and then he understood everything. He thought that he was either dead or had been mistaken for dead. He knew that this had happened to other people, and it was quite possible, if not natural, that it had happened to Michael Morgan. And then he was overcome by a frantic fear that he would suffocate underground, he pounded the lid of the coffin with his fists and screamed. But not a sound escaped his lips, and the blows on the lid were completely inaudible. In despair, he began to scold and curse his wife, while Sandra continued her exquisite mourning of the deceased. The priest chanted everything that was required, and looked sternly at the boys when they began to drag their feet. The bearers moved the coffin back and forth on their shoulders. And Michael Morgan silently lamented his silence. Then he suddenly calmed down. Insanely tired, he now lay quietly and knew for sure that he was dead.