It was awful ! so lonesome , helpless , and seemingly God-forsaken . Hour after hour we lay there side by side under one coat , waiting to be saved or die , for the wind grew strong and we grew weak . '' Saul drew a long breath , and held his hands to the fire as if he felt again the sharp suffering of that night . `` And the man ? '' asked Emily , softly , as if reluctant to break the silence . `` He was a man ! In times like that men talk like brothers and show what they are . Lying there , slowly freezing , Joe Cummings told me about his wife and babies , his old folks waiting for him , all depending on him , yet all ready to give him up when he was needed . A plain man , but honest and true , and loving as a woman ; I soon saw that as he went on talking , half to me and half to himself , for sometimes he wandered a little toward the end . I 've read books , heard sermons , and seen good folks , but nothing ever came so close or did me so much good as seeing this man die . He had one chance and gave it cheerfully . He longed for those he loved , and let 'em go with a good-by they could n't hear . He suffered all the pains we most shrink from without a murmur , and kept my heart warm while his own was growing cold . It 's no use trying to tell that part of it ; but I heard prayers that night that meant something , and I saw how faith could hold a soul up when everything was gone but God . '' Saul stopped there with a sudden huskiness in his deep voice , and when he went on it was in the tone of one who speaks of a dear friend . `` Joe grew still by and by , and I thought he was asleep , for I felt his breath when I tucked him up , and his hand held on to mine . The cold sort of numbed me , and I dropped off , too weak and stupid to think or feel . I never should have waked up if it had n't been for Joe . When I came to , it was morning , and I thought I was dead , for all I could see was that great field of white mounds , like graves , and a splendid sky above .
Then I looked for XXXXX , remembering ; but he had put my coat back over me , and lay stiff and still under the snow that covered him like a shroud , all except his face .
Cummings Emily Joe Saul breath fire hour morning night tone