I got up, and as I did almost every night, went out to look after my cattle.

I found all but one of them, and fetched a compass about the barns and stables, searching until I found her.

As I passed in front of the door I heard moanings and cryings from a bench against the side of the house, and stopped.

It was dawn, and I could see that it was either a small woman or a large child, huddled down on the bench crying terribly, with those peculiar wrenching spasms that come only when you have struggled long, and then quite given up to misery.

I went toward her, then stepped back, then drew closer, trying to decide whether I should go away and leave her, or speak to her; and arguing with myself as to what I could possibly say to her.