Presently there came slowly along it a covered wagon drawn by a pair of sorry horses and piled at the back with household possessions.

In front sat a man of slouching carriage, and in the interior of the wagon another figure could be dimly seen.

The whole turn-out gave an impression of poverty and misfortune; and Elizabeth looked at it curiously.
Suddenly, the wagon drew up with a jerk at the gate of the farm, and the man descended, with difficulty, his limbs being evidently numb with cold.
Elizabeth caught up a fur cloak and ran to the door.
"Could you give us a bit of shelter for the night ?" said the man sheepishly.

"We'd thought of getting on to Battleford, but the little un's bad--and the missus perished with cold.

We'd give you no trouble if we might warm ourselves a bit." And he looked under his eyebrows at Elizabeth, at the bright fire behind her, and all the comfort of the new farmhouse.