Eliza woke up in the little cabin where she had been staying and doing her work. She was still propped in the chair by the hearth, but the fire had long since gone out. The knitting she had been working on last night had fallen from her lap and was laying on the floor at her feet.

With a silent sigh, Eliza heaved herself out of the chair and stretched her sore muscles. She grabbed an apple from the basket under the window and munched on it as she checked the nettles she had soaking. They were almost ready for spinning, which was good, since she was getting close to the end of the already spun yarn.

After she finished her apple, she went outside to get some fresh water and relieve herself. She could see her brothers gliding along the top of the pond. They were beautiful and graceful, but the sight made Eliza sad. She missed giving them hugs and seeing them smile.

A quickly as possible, Eliza returned to the cabin. She drank a bit of water and set the rest aside for later. Then she gathered up her knitting and settled back into the chair by the hearth.

Needle, loop, stitch. Needle, loop, stitch. Needle, loop, stitch. The rhythm of the knitting was soothing. It's regular pattern almost seemed to promise that everything would be right again someday. She prayed the needles were correct, but it felt like there was still so much work yet to do! All she could do was stick to it.