By the thermometer on Mr. Hamilton's window it had gotten down to fifteen degrees in early October. The cold weather had crept in during the night along with a misty rain and bone-chilling winds, so that an oppressive grayness hung over the valley. This cold lingered on for weeks. It was unrelenting and bitter, making the trek to and from school harder and harder for Sarah and her friends to manage. The ruts and holes on the old wagon road held mud and icy water that coated their shoes and soaked their feet. Since only a couple of students lived close enough to make it every day, the school closed early for winter. Sarah usually enjoyed fall but there were no sunny, crisp autumn days this year. She felt absolutely claustrophobic locked up in the house with Nathan and Cora. Those two were almost always on her about something, especially Nathan. Her room was her only escape and she spent most of her time there. When she ventured out they were there to torment her. Yesterday it was how she breathed and today it was how she ate.
