Resisting any proffers of assistance, he began to fill in the grave, turning his back upon the crowd, that after a few moments' hesitation gradually withdrew. As they crossed the little ridge that hid Sandy Bar from view, some, looking back, thought they could see Tennessee's Partner, his work done, sitting upon the grave, his shovel between his knees, and his face buried in bandanna handkerchief. But it was argued by others that you couldn't tell his face from his handkerchief at that distance; and this point remained undecided. In at least one hundred words, explain how Harte maintains a humorous tone even in this rather serious scene.

Through this serious passage, the writer maintained the serious tone by adding a humor to create a lighter scene. In the passage, there was a bright transition of the character describing the scene. Harte was a colorist that joined the movement of regional-realism in American Literature between the year 1870 and 1890. His writing style was incorporating humor and hyperbole, in a way it can define the individuality of the character. And in hyperbole, one thing can be exaggerated but with a twist of melodrama that comes with that. Parodies in some way are also evident in the passage that presents slices of life.