Angus collapsed in the doorway, and Gretchen and Ugruk carried him into the cabin. Presently he lay in his sleeping-robe beside the stove, warm, vaguely conscious, following Gretchen’s movements with dazed eyes, and wondering at her tears. He was in a dangerous stage of fatigue, but not frozen; and if he survived the next hour he would no doubt recover soon.
Through the remainder of the night Gretchen and Ugruk took turns keeping fire, snatching what sleep they could. Just before dawn, Angus hurled out of a dream with a cry. Gretchen ran to him, and bent over him.
“What are ye doing here, Gretchen?” he asked dazedly. “Don’t ye know ye should be on your way? The longer ye stay here, the less food and strength ye’ll have for the journey.”
“I am not going on a journey,” Gretchen answered q
