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THE LIFE OF TOLSTOY

When the body was lowered into the grave the people again knelt and, in deep silence, thousands of heads were bent in prayer. In the solemn hush, the thud of the frozen earth thrown on the lowered coffin was heard.

Soon the clods were heaped up over the grave and covered with wreaths and flowers. Beneath lay all the earthly remains of the beloved Grand Old Man. But his spirit is alive and hovering over us; he is present; his words are sounding in our ears. It is our duty to strive with all our strength to realise his ideal of Love and Reason.