text: When they came out the next morning to work, Grit looked to the north and Paulie said, "You're vexed on account of those folks, aren't you?"
  
  "Yep, we could have another storm from Canada any day, and if the temperature drops below zero, those mules are likely to die."
  
  "Let's load up some supplies and visit again," Paulie said. "It's the only thing we can do. I guess we could haul some logs up and make a dwelling for the animals, but he doesn't have anything to feed them."
  
  When they arrived at the Knudsen household, Grit tried to be friendly. "Well, neighbor, how are things goin'?"
  
  "Not enough hours in the day," Leif said, "and the days get shorter and shorter."
  
  "How're you dealing with the cold?" Paulie asked.
  
  "We're doing alright, thanks to the wood you brought," Leif said.
  
  "This time we've brought you some poles," Grit said. "We thought we could sink them in the ground and form a structure so that we could pile sod around them and make a barn for the mules to keep them out of the wind and snow."
  
  "Why're you doin' all this?" Leif asked.
  
  "Because you need help even though you're too stubborn to admit it," Grit said. "And neighbors help each other."
  
  "Alright, let's build a barn," Leif said.
  
  As they started to unload the poles, Leif asked, "What's all this other stuff?"
  
  "Ah, just a few things to keep your wife and daughter warm and happy," Grit said.
  
  Paulie carried the supplies into the little sod shanty as Inga held the baby and thanked him profusely.
  
  "And here's six wool blankets to help you stay warm when the really cold weather comes," he said. "And we have extra buffalo robes, so we've brought along two of those."
  
  "What is that big sack?" she asked.
  
  "Pinto beans," Paulie said. "Just like the red beans you already have, but I think these taste better. With biscuits, they make a meal all by themselves. They'll keep ya alive this winter.
  
  "Sorry we can't offer you any butter, but here's a case of canned milk for the baby and for your coffee. I know it's not as good as having a cow, but it's the best we can do this winter. And here's 25 pounds of coffee. I hope it'll last you for a while. There's some sugar loaves there as well."
  
  "Thank you more than I can say," Inga said. "Leif is a good man, but he doesn't understand what we're up against out here."
  
  "We know that," Paulie said. "We'll help you get through this winter. What is it you need more than anything?"
  
  "I don't know," Inga said. "Some days... nearly every day really... I wish we'd never left Opplanden... that's in Norway. Leif was a farmer there and we were happy." For a few moments she was lost in memories of her homeland before saying, "But I can't dwell on that. I take care of the baby and have food ready for my husband. And I help with the farm work when I can."
  
  For the rest of the day, the men worked to get the barn built. When night closed in, Grit said, "We'll be back tomorrow with the other logs we need to complete the roof of the barn, then the mules will be protected against the blizzards. But you'll have to feed them sparingly. We've left you some oats, but you can't give the mules more than two scoops a day. If you do, there won't be enough to last the winter. If you have time, harvest some of the prairie grasses and stow them under a tarpaulin at the side of the barn."
  
  "I don't have a tarpaulin," Leif said.
  
  "We'll bring one for you tomorrow," Grit said.
  
  Going back, Paulie said, "Neither of us realized how unprepared they are. No tarpaulin, no feed for the animals, no food for themselves."
  
  "And without the buffalo robes, they'd never stay once the fire goes out in the stove during the night," Grit said. "We'll do what we can."