Tea-time at the Servants' Hall at Downton Abbey was a sombre affair. William Mason just passed away after a heartbreaking deathbed wedding, and the undertakers took his body from the south gallery bedroom fifteen minutes ago. His widow, the young Daisy the kitchen maid was too distraught to think of coming down, something that Charles Carson, the butler understood. In fact, he was waiting for a phone call from Grassby's to make sure if William Mason would be collected, and taken to a small room in Downton before his funeral.

"When is the funeral going to be?" asked Jane Moorsum, the newest member of the household staff.

"Day after tomorrow, I suppose, other arrangements have to be made," Mrs. Hughes said sadly.

Charles Carson, however, took no part in the conversation. The death of the former second footman affected him like he never thought possible. William Mason was a good lad; there was no doubt about that. William got along well with everybody, from His Lordship to Mr. Linton, the estate's crabby head gardener. He was a good worker too, always willing to help, willing to learn a new skill. Charles always thought of naming William as his successor one day, instead of the scheming Thomas Barrow, who, today, was nowhere to be found. Probably he went back to his duties as Downton also served as a convalescent home. Then again, Thomas always made it clear that he was no longer a servant at Downton now; that he was now Acting Sergeant Barrow.

The shrill, piercing ringing of the telephone interrupted his musings. Reluctantly, he stood up to answer the call in his pantry. Likely it was Mr. Grassby telling him that William was already laid out and his remains would be returned to Downton.

"Downton Abbey, this is Charles Carson, butler, speaking."

"Ah, Mr. Carson! It...I must say it is a relief to speak to you. We...we have a delicate situation here." It was Martin Grassby, current manager of the Grassby's Undertaking Service.

"Delicate? What do you mean delicate?" Carson bristled.

"It's difficult to explain over the telephone, Mr. Carson," Mr. Grassby replied.

"Well, you're an Englishman. I'm sure you're well acquainted with the English language as to be able to tell us when are we to expect the remains of William Mason to be brought to Downton Abbey!"

"Well, that's the thing," was Mr. Grassby's patient reply. "There are no remains to speak of, Mr. Carson. William Mason rose from the dead."

"What?"

"Mr. William Mason rose from the dead, Mr. Carson."

"How on earth could that have happened?" asked a flabbergasted Charles Carson.

"I think you should come here personally, Mr. Carson. It's highly unusual."

"Oh, I say. Let me inform His Lordship first."

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham sat and read the papers. He couldn't seem to get his mind out of his latest worry—he and Mary had just arrived from the Downton hospital—and things seemed bleak for Matthew. He had also heard that William Mason passed away, and they were only waiting for Grassby's to deliver his remains back to Downton where a short service would be made for him and a funeral. Robert wondered if Mr. Mason was contacted about the arrangements. He would ask Edith to drive him to the Mason's farmhouse. Robert made a mental note to ask Carson what the servants had planned for their fallen former fellow servant.

Charles Carson, however, made such mental note unnecessary. He swallowed hard, since it was going to sound he had gone mad. But he had to tell his Lordship what he and the undertakers had discussed. He cleared his throat, and Lord Grantham paused from whatever he was doing and looked up at him.

"My Lord, may I have a moment?"

"Certainly Carson, do you have any idea about the servants would do for William? A token of remembrance perhaps? Flowers? A testimonial?" Lord Grantham asked. The butler hedged a little, and then sighed, prompting his employer to frown a little and ask, "I say, what's going on, Carson?" Charles sighed again. "I am afraid you might think that I am going mad, but the truth is, Mr. Martin Grassby rang me earlier. He tells me that William Mason has risen from the dead."

"Carson, I never knew you were fond of telling jokes made in bad taste," said the earl, rather reproachfully. "William has served this house faithfully for years and..."

Charles Carson was persistent. He replied, "My Lord, Mr. Grassby isn't in the habit of making ribald jokes either."

Lord Grantham's blue-grey eyes widened. "Good God, Carson, is this true? William is alive?" The butler nodded, and added, "My Lord, Mr. Grassby has requested that we come personally so we can see for ourselves."

"I would like very much to come with you. Sadly, Mr. Branson is with Lady Mary, Lady Sybil, and Miss Swire at the hospital. Can you get one of the maids to call Lady Edith?" Carson nodded. "Very good, my Lord. I shall send Mrs. Hughes or the maids up to her." Robert closed his eyes for a while, and then he remembered something. I heard from Mama that William had married Daisy before he died. Has she been informed of this...startling news?" Carson shook his head no, but he promised to tell her.

Charles Carson went back downstairs to look for Mrs. Elsie Hughes, the housekeeper. A steady, sensible Scotchwoman, she rarely indulged in the luxury of tears and grief. But this was an exception. The death of William Mason wrung nearly everybody's hearts, even the taciturn, scheming Sarah O' Brien. His widow was another matter. Daisy Mason was stonily stoic, almost brittle. Then again, people coped with grief differently.

Charles found Elsie Hughes in her sitting room. "Can I have a word with you for the moment?" The housekeeper nodded. "What is it?" she asked.

The butler could no longer contain it. "William Mason is not dead. Mr. Grassby said he rose from the dead." Thankfully, Elsie stood near her desk and was able to grab the back of the chair. She went a little pale. "Good heavens, Mr. Carson. The lad just died. Now is not the time to make unpleasant jokes at his expense." Elsie Hughes spoke sternly, her mouth a thin, hard line. Carson's serious mien interrupted Elsie's train of thought. "You know that Martin Grassby has no sense of humour whatsoever. The lad really rose from the dead. I think that Daisy should be informed."

"You mean he really did?"

Carson nodded. "Yes. That was Mr. Grassby on the phone earlier. He called to tell us of what transpired in his ambulance van. His poor son-in-law, the one driving it was in a state of shock, he managed to drive back safely to the office."

"Does His Lordship know?" Elsie asked. The butler affirmed it, by replying. "Yes. In fact, we are going there right now. Unfortunately, Mr. Branson is with Ladies Mary and Sybil and Miss Swire. His Lordship requests that you send up a maid to Lady Edith's room, to send her ladyship to the drawing room. She is to drive us to Grassby's, and to Mr. Mason's farm."

"Won't the poor man have a heart attack?" queried Elsie.

"It's a risk we have to take."

"Very well. I will send Alice to Lady Edith."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. Will you tell Daisy what just happened?" The housekeeper nodded. "The poor girl. She's all very upset." Elsie had plenty of reason to feel for the kitchen maid. She knew that in her own way, Daisy Mason loved William. Elsie remembered that Daisy brightened up whenever a letter from William came from the front. When there wasn't any, the lass moped but she still was able to deliver. And when news arrived that he was injured, Daisy was the first one who inquired of his welfare.

If that wasn't love, Elsie thought, she didn't know what was.

There! I finally wrote it! It took a hard time to figure out how I'd get around writing this chapter-especially the reactions of Mr. Carson and Mr. Hughes, as well as Lord Grantham's. It was a bit difficult, I admit. Next chapter-Daisy hears from Mrs. Hughes that...