ike the winter". The only time she spoke was when she whined or complained about ailments that did not even exist. As the novel progressed Zeena's cousin Mattie, came to live in the Frome household. Mattie was "young, happy, healthy and beautiful like the summer"." With Mattie, Ethan felt alive once again. Ethan would imagine how blissful life would be if Zeena were dead and he was married to Mattie. Though due to circumstances Ethan would not be able to be with Mattie. As Ethan was writing his goodbye letter to his wife he came across two problems. In his letter Ethan wrote-"Zeena I've done all I could for you, and I don't see as it's been any use . . . I'm going to try my luck West, and you can sell the farm and mill, and keep the money". He soon realized if he gave the farm to Zeena "what would be left him to start his own life with"? And even if he picked up work in the West how could he support Mattie? Also, Ethan figured how much could Zeena receive from selling the farm? And in the meantime how could she alone take care of the farm and mill herself? So Ethan realized that he could not do a
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