Then Ethan was almost overcome with nausea and with frustrated anger. His only brother was dead, and he had done nothing to save him. After a few minutes he walked toward the gallows, as most others withdrew and began to leave the clearing. A sergeant confronted him and told him to move back. “I’ve come for my brother,” he said, and it must have been obvious that he would not be deterred. The sergeant said, “All right,” and nodded to the hangmen still on the platform.

There was a wagon waiting to receive the bodies as they were brought down to the ground, but Ethan insisted that no one touch Henry except himself. He lifted the slight frame of his brother easily, carried him over to his horse, and draped him carefully across the saddle. He rejected several offers of assistance and then led the horse slowly to the shoemaker’s shop, obtained a pick and shovel, and proceeded to the cemetery. He dug a grave alongside that of Henry’s wife and buried his brother. He had been overwhelmed with a desire to be alone, but now he wished that Epsey could have been with him as he recited some verses from the Twenty-third Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer as best he could. Later, he would bring her with him, when he erected headstones on the two graves.

•  •  •

Back at home, Epsey wept softly as Ethan described what had happened, fumbling with the words, as though he could hardly believe it himself. He struggled to hide his mixed emotions of grief, anger, and a sense of inadequacy, and soon left the house, saying that he was going to check on the cows and hogs. He returned well after sundown, nodded to Epsey, and sat down on his pallet, leaning back against the rough logs of the cabin’s wall. Epsey moved toward him and saw that his eyes and cheeks were wet with tears. He seemed a hollow shell of the strong and self-reliant man she had always known, now almost childlike in his vulnerability. She reached out and touched the top of his head, not knowing what to expect. Instead of moving away, Ethan moved his hand up and clasped her fingers. Epsey sat beside him, and he put his head on her shoulder as she held him close. She was overwhelmed with a desire to nurture her husband. She soon bared her breast and held him close against it, and he responded eagerly to this unprecedented intimacy. She was surprised by his passion, and thankful that she could help relieve his torment.

After Ethan was sleeping soundly, Epsey returned to her own bed and lay awake the rest of the night, embarrassed about what they had done and wondering what they would do in the future.

In the morning, their relationship was as it had always been, except that Ethan was inclined to reveal his opinions more freely.