When it was all over Mr. Sam came out to the spring-house to say good-bye to me before he and Mrs. Sam left. I hated to see him go, after all we had been through together, and I suppose he saw it in my face, for he came over close and stood looking down at me, and smiling. You saved us, Minnie, he said, and I needn’t tell you we’re grateful; but do you know what I think? he asked, pointing his long forefinger at me. I think you’ve enjoyed it even when you were suffering most. Red-haired women are born to intrigue, as the sparks fly upward.
Enjoyed it! I snapped. I’m an old woman before my time, Mr. Sam. What with trailing back and forward through the snow to the shelter-house, and not getting to bed at all some nights, and my heart going by fits and starts, as you may say, and half the time my spinal marrow fairly chilled – not to mention putting on my overshoes every morning from force of habit and having to take them off again, I’m about all in.