“From the grassy swell where she picketed Ellen she could see the town beyond to the north. Big Slough curved between and spread wide southwest, covering acres upon acres with its rough high grass.”

“Ma sat by the lamp, mending one of Pa’s shirts. The house seemed cold and still and strange, without Pa.”

“They had nothing but the clothes they wore, and one quilt that his wife had snatched to wrap around the baby in the cellar.”