Ethan Frome Page #3

who'd become quite sickly.

Folks said about zeena that she'd caught

every illness she'd ever heard of,

and leaving Starkfield

was no longer even something to talk about,

to dream about.

I don't see why we need someone.

Well, she don't cost anything

'cause she's a relative.

She's got nowheres else to go.

She might be someone to talk to.

Where is she going to stay?

Where I stayed when I came to help your ma.

In my old room?

Should she sleep in the kitchen?

But that's my room, zeena.

That's where I keep my books...

I made you a good breakfast, Ethan.

Just knowing I'm going to get some help

has made me feel a lot better.

Isn't that strange?

This is Starkfield, miss.

Mattie silver was the daughter

of zeena's cousin,

and she'd had her share of hardship...

her father's death,

the disclosure of his many debts,

her mother's death.

She was left with $50

to make her way

from the sale of her old piano,

all of which made her kind

of... Fragile and shaken

and hardly the best choice

to take over the chores

zeena was too sickly to attend to.

But Mattie silver needed somewhere to live,

and zeena needed someone to help.

And so these three were brought together.

How was the trip, dear?

Cousin zeena.

Never been so tired in all my life.

Ethan will get you a cup of tea.

You're looking as tall as aunt Clara.

Must run in the family.

Is she asleep?

You see how she looked?

The child is ill herself.

You didn't tell me she was sickly.

It's a long ways from stamford. She's tired.

I know when someone is ill.

How is she going to get better in the cold?

We need someone to help, zeena.

That's what you said.

We need a strong girl.

A healthy girl.

What are we going to do?

I guess a year went by.

Mattie never did get the feel

for housekeeping,

but she was worried

zeena would send her away,

so she kept trying.

And Mattie got better.

Spring came, then summer.

And instead of getting sicker...

She got better.

Mattie, he asked me.

And by the next winter,

everyone began to notice

that this pale, fragile girl

had become a healthy, youthful,

and very alive young woman.

The whole village had noticed

the change in her.

Even me.

Want to go down the steep slope?

If you want.

Come on!

Come on.

Are you hurt?

No.

I didn't know you were such a dancer.

What happened? What? Ruth?

What?

Ruth!

I ain't hurt.

It's just a bruise.

We jumped off just in time.

My foot got stuck.

I couldn't steer.

I was scared,

and I thought he was trying to tickle me!

Thanks, Ethan.

I'll see her the rest of the way home, ned.

All right.

Bye-bye, grandpa.

I'll just be a minute.

Good night!

How are you getting home?

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