It was not on this account that he gave up his situation on the line, but because a new impulse had seized him, and he had no particular reason for remaining.

He waited till a new caretaker arrived from the headquarters of the railway, and then set forth from the station the following morning on foot.
Turrif had been laid up with some complaint for a week or two, and Alec went to say good-bye to him.

The roads had been opened up again.

He had his snow-shoes on his back, and some clothes in a small pack.
Turrif's wife opened the door, and Trenholme disburdened himself and went and sat by the bed.

The little children were about, as usual, in blue gowns; he had made friends in the house since his first supper there, so they stood near now, and laughed at him a great deal without being afraid.