It seemed to Alan that in an instant a sudden change had come over the world.

There was silence in the cabin, except for the breath which came like a sob to the girl's lips as she turned to the window and looked out into the blaze of golden sunlight that filled the tundra.

He heard Tautuk's voice, calling to Keok away over near the reindeer corral, and he heard clearly Keok's merry laughter as she answered him.

A gray-cheeked thrush flew up to the roof of Sokwenna's cabin and began to sing.

It was as if these things had come as a message to both of them, relieving a tension, and significant of the beauty and glory and undying hope of life.