By the archway over the stone steps the funeral musicians were dozing and hugging their instruments. After hours of hard work they were now snatching forty winks while they could and saving their energy for a final effort at the shrouding ceremony.

• 石阶下，素牌楼旁边的一班“鼓乐手”，此时都抱着乐器在那里打瞌睡，他们已经辛苦了半天，现在偷空合一下眼，在储蓄精力准备入殓时最后一次的大紧张。