His first impulse, after those few appalling seconds following their escape from the fire, was to save something from the cabin.

Still talking to Celie he dropped on his knees and tucked her up warmly in the bearskin, with her back to a tree.

He thanked God that it was a big skin and that it enveloped her completely.

Leaving her there he ran back through the gate.

He no longer feared the wolves.