Some returned to their houses, after picking up all the news that was going; others, before departing, were for spending an hour in one of the two gathering places of the village; the cur's house or the general store.

Those who came from the back concessions, stretching along the very border of the forest, one by one untied their horses from the row and brought their sleighs to the foot of the steps for their women and children.
Samuel Chapdelaine and Maria had gone but a little way when a young man halted them.
"Good day to you, Mr.Chapdelaine.Good day, Miss Maria.

I am in great luck at meeting you, since your farm is so high up the river and I don't often come this way myself." His bold eyes travelled from one to the other.

When he averted them it seemed by a conscious effort of politeness; swiftly they returned, and their glance, bright, keen, full of honest eagerness, was questioning and disconcerting.
"Francois Paradis!" exclaimed Chapdelaine.
"This is indeed a bit of luck, for I haven't seen you this long while, Francois.

And your father dead too.