He had no generalities ready for each emergency.
"Would father have gone alone ?" she asked, with a very human thrill of hope in her voice.
"No," answered Paul steadily, "I think not.

But you can ask him." They had never been so distant as they were at this moment--so cold, such mere acquaintances.

And they had played together in one nursery.
"Of course, if that is the case," said the girl, "my duty is quite clear." "It required some persuasion to make him consent to go, even with you," said Paul.
A rough piece of going--for there was no road--debarred further conversation at this time.

The sleigh rolled and bumped over one fallen tree after another.

Paul, with his feet stretched out, wedged firmly into the sleigh, encouraged the tired horses with rein and voice.
Catrina was compelled to steady herself with both hands on the bar of the apron; for the apron of a Russian sleigh is a heavy piece of leather stretched on a wooden bar.
"Then you think my duty is quite clear ?" repeated the girl at length.
Paul did not answer at once.
"I am sure of it," he said.
And there the question ended.