Humphrey remained two days at the intendant's
house, and then returned to the cottage, where Edward had taken his
place during his absence.
CHAPTER XXI.
The winter set in very severe, and the falls of snow were very heavy
and frequent. It was fortunate that Humphrey had been so provident in
making so large a quantity of hay, or the stock would have been
starved. The flock of goats, in a great part, subsisted themselves on
the bark of trees and moss; at night they had some hay given to them,
and they did very well. It was hardly possible for Edward to come over
to see his brother and sisters, for the snow was so deep as to render
such a long journey too fatiguing for a horse. Twice or thrice after
the snow fell, he contrived to get over; but after that they knew it
was impossible, and they did not expect him. Humphrey and Pablo had
little to do except attending to the stock, and cutting firewood to
keep up their supply, for they now burned it very fast. The snow lay
several feet high round the cottage, being driven against it by the
wind. They had kept a passage clear to the yard, and had kept the yard
as clear of snow as possible: they could do no more. A sharp frost and
clear weather succeeded to the snow-storms, and there appeared no
chance of the snow melting away.
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