“For God’s sake close the door. You don’t think I break my back gathering wood that you may warm the wide world.”
There was a scuffle of sabots anxiously retreating.
“Margot!”
“Yes, Mother.”
“You’re not going away again, are you?”
“I....”
“Come here, little toad. I’ve something to say to you.”
Submissively from the shadow of the doorway slipped a girl. She had twin braids of pale gold hair, and between them like a wedge, her face showed waxen with cold.
“’Fraid I’ll eat you?” snapped the woman. “Come here, near to me. Brought home any money?”
“No, Mother.”