So he took the medicine, and did not lift his voice against it, although he had his thoughts.
It did seem as if the medicine benefited him.

He breathed more easily after a while, and his color was more natural.

Deborah felt encouraged; she even went down upon her stiff knees after her family were in bed, and thanked the Lord from the depths of her sorely chastened but proud heart.

She did not foresee what was to come of it; for that very night Ephraim, induced thereto by the salutary effect of the medicine, which removed somewhat the restriction of his laboring heart upon his boyish spirits, perpetrated the crowning act of revolt and rebellion of his short life.
The moon was bright that night.

The snow was frozen hard.