One of the crows fell to the floor and he accidently stepped upon it and snapped its head off.

He was gazing solemnly down at the wreck when the door behind him opened and a strong blast of damp, cold wind blew in.

He turned and found that Mrs.
Armstrong had opened the door.

She entered and closed it behind her.
"Good morning," she said.
Jed was surprised to see her at such an early hour; also just at that time her sudden appearance was like a sort of miracle, as if the thoughts in his brain had taken shape, had materialized.

For a moment he could not regain presence of mind sufficient to return her greeting.