"I'm afraid I have nothing warmer than this," the girl faltered. "I--I didn't know it was so very cold here. And--and I'm nicely warmed up now, and perhaps I won't feel it so very much." "You stay right here an' vait for me," he told her, and went out of the waiting-room, hurriedly. But he opened the door again. "If Hugo he come vhile I am avay, you tell him I pring youst two three tings from my voman for you. I'm back right avay. So long, ma'am!" She was left alone for at least a quarter of an hour, and it reminded her of a long wait she had undergone in the reception-room of the hospital. Then, as now, she had feared the unknown, had shivered at the thought that presently she would be in the hands of strange people who might or not be friendly, and be lost among a mass of suffering humanity. Twice she heard the runners of sleighs creaking on the ground, and her heart began to beat, but the sounds faded away. Joe, the station agent, came in and asked her civilly whether she was warm enough, telling her that outside it was forty below. Wood was cheap, he told her, and he put more sticks in the devouring stove. After she had thanked him and given him the check for her little trunk he vanished again, and she listened to the telegraph sounder. Stefan, returning, was hailed at the door of the store by Sophy McGurn. "Who's the strange lady, Stefan?" she asked, most innocently. "It's a leddy vhat is expectin' Hugo Ennis," he answered. "How queer!" said the girl, airily. "Ay dunno," answered the Swede. "Vhen Hugo he do a thing it ain't nefer qveer, Ay tank." She turned away and Stefan stepped over to the depot and opened the door. Madge looked up, startled and again afraid. It was a relief to her to see Stefan's friendly face. She had feared.... She didn't know what she dreaded so much--perhaps a face repellent--a man who would look at her and in whose eyes she might discern insult or contempt. The big Swede held an armful of heavy clothing. "Ye can't stay here, leddy," he said. "You come ofer to my house since Ennis he no coming. Dese clothes is from my ole vomans. Mebbe ye look like--like de dooce in dem, but dat's better as to freeze to death. An you vants a big breakfass so you goes vid me along. Hey dere! Joe! If Ennis he come you tell him come ofer to me, ye hear?"