His wife watched his form winding in and out among the trees, until it finally disappeared from view; and then, waiting a few moments longer, as if loth to withdraw her gaze from the spot where she had last seen him, she finally turned within the house to engage in her domestic duties.
The thrifty housewife has seldom an idle moment on her hands, and Cora passed hither and thither, performing the numerous little acts that were not much in themselves, but collectively were necessary, if not indispensable, in her household management.

Occasionally she paused and bent over her child, that lay sleeping on the bed, and like a fond mother, could not restrain herself from softly touching her lips to its own, although it was at the imminent risk of awaking it.
An hour passed.

She went to the door and looked out to see whether Teddy was in sight; but the woods were as silent as if they contained no living thing.

Far away over the river, nearly opposite the Indian village, she saw two canoes crossing the stream, resembling ordinary-sized water-birds in the distance.

These, so in harmony with the lazy, sunshiny afternoon, were all that gave evidence that man had ever invaded this solitude.
Cora Richter could but be cheerful, and, as she moved to and fro, she sung a hymn, one that was always her husband's favorite.