"A fine night, and there is still a crust on the snow-, as the walking was good I thought that I would drop in this evening to find out if you were back." Although he came to see Maria, as all knew, it was to the father of the house that he directed his remarks, partly through shyness, partly out of deference to the manners of the country.

He took the chair that was offered him.
"The weather is mild; if it misses turning wet it will be by very little.

One can feel that the spring rains are not far off ..." It was the orthodox beginning to one of those talks among country folk which are like an interminable song, full of repetitions, each speaker agreeing with the words last uttered and adding more to the same effect.

And naturally the theme was the Canadian's never-ending plaint; his protest, falling short of actual revolt, against the heavy burden of the long winter.

"The beasts have been in the stable since the end of October and the barn is just about empty," said mother Chapdelaine.