noon
No one knows whether Uncle Jim could hear the cries from the torture-chamber , but , after standing for a time mumbling to himself , he wrapped himself in a heavy coat , tied a muffler about his face , and went out . If they missed him they must have thought him gone to the barn , or in the drive-shed sharpening his axe . But the day went on and the old mother forgot all the wrongs that she had suffered , and yearned over the trivial woman who was hurrying out into the Great Space . Her hours seemed numbered at noon , her moments measured as it came towards sundown , but with the passing of the sun the storm stopped , and a beautiful white peace fell on the world of snow , and suddenly out of that peace came six men ; and the first that opened the door was the doctor . After him came Uncle Jim , supported between two others . Uncle Jim had made the terrible journey , falling at last in the streets of the county town with frozen hands and feet , not a dozen rods from the doctor 's door . They brought him to , he told his story , and , with the abating of the storm , the doctor and the villagers drove down to the concession road , and then made their way slowly up across the fields , carrying the old man with them , for he would not be left behind .