But he was very busy now , for he had to cook and mend , besides getting food , for there was no one to help him . And so a whole year passed away . At the end of that time he came back from hunting one night and found some wood by the door and a fire within . The next night there was not only wood and fire , but a piece of meat in the kettle , nearly ready for eating . He searched all about to see who could have done this , but could find no one . The next time he went to hunt he took care not to go far , and came in quite early . And while he was still a long way off he saw a woman going into the house with wood on her shoulders . So he made haste , and opened the door quickly , and instead of the wooden doll , his wife sat in front of the fire . Then she spoke to him and said , ` The Great Spirit felt sorry for you , because you would not be comforted , so he let me come back to you , but you must not stretch out your hand to touch me till we have seen the rest of our people . If you do , I shall die . ' So the man listened to her words , and the woman dwelt there , and brought the wood and kindled the fire , till one day her husband said to her , ` It is now two years since you died . Let us now go back to our tribe . Then you will be well , and I can touch you . ' And with that he prepared food for the journey , a string of deer 's flesh for her to carry , and one for himself ; and so they started . Now the camp of the tribe was distant six days ' journey , and when they were yet one day 's journey off it began to snow , and they felt weary and longed for rest . Therefore they made a fire , cooked some food , and spread out their skins to sleep . Then the heart of the man was greatly stirred , and he stretched out his arms to his wife , but she waved her hands and said , ` We have seen no one yet ; it is too soon . ' But he would not listen to her , and caught her to him , and behold ! he was clasping the wooden doll . And when he saw it was the doll he pushed it from him in his misery and rushed away to the camp , and told them all his story .
And some doubted , and they went back XXXXX him to the place where he and his wife had stopped to rest , and there lay the doll , and besides , they saw in the snow the steps of two people , and the foot of one was like the foot of the doll .
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