We always pair them that way.
Any other method would be fatal, for when the men come out in the spring they invariably are deadly enemies.

You can imagine what would happen if we sent into a line cabin two men who did not think well of each other." She shuddered and snuggled closer to him, letting her head fall to his shoulder.

A pulse of pity stirred him, and he permitted her head to stay where she had laid it, while he gently smoothed her hair.
He would have done as much for any woman in her position; the emotion that filled him was entirely that of pity.

She was vain and frivolous--employing every artifice, but she was a woman despite that, and entitled, in the present circumstances, to what comfort and sympathy he could give her.
However, to Della, the moment of victory was at hand.

She _had_ been a trifle worried just an instant before; and the white world outside _had_ seemed to threaten to rush in and crush out her life--the life she loved so well--and she had been just a little afraid.
But she had not been too frightened to note Lawler's sympathy--the quick glow in his eyes, and the atmosphere of tenderness that suddenly seemed to envelop him.