winter midnight
The horse took the wrong road , and plodded along steadily , carrying him away from his home , but he did not know it for a long time . When at last he looked up and saw the road leading out upon the wide plain between the belts of timber , leading away to Rock River , he gave a sigh of relief . He could not meet his wife then ; he must have a chance to think . Over him , the glittering , infinite sky of winter midnight soared , passionless , yet accusing in its calmness , sweetness and majesty . What was he that he could dogmatize on eternal life and the will of the Being who stood behind that veil ? And then would come rushing back that scene in the school-house , the smell of the steaming garments , the gases from the lamps , the roar of the stove , the sound of his own voice , strident , dominating , so alien to his present mood , he could only shudder at it . He was worn out with the thinking when he drove into the stable at the Merchants ' House and roused up the sleeping hostler , who looked at him suspiciously and demanded pay in advance .