Original Text:

“‘I discovered also another means through which I was enabled to assist their labors. I found that the youth spent a great part of each day in collecting wood for the family fire; and, during the night, I often took his tools, the use of which I quickly discovered, and brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days. I remember, the first time that I did this, the young woman, when she opened the door in the morning, appeared greatly astonished on seeing a great pile of wood on the outside. She uttered some words in a loud voice, and the youth joined her, who also expressed surprise. I observed, with pleasure, that he did not go to the forest that day, but spent it in repairing the cottage, and cultivating the garden.’” (Volume II, Chapter IV, Page 82-83)

Revision:

I awoke to the sound of Agatha’s voice, raised to a volume I initially perceived to indicate alarm. It was not until I hastily quitted my bed, driven by the urgent desire to remove whatever harm had befallen her, that I discovered the true cause of her outburst. Upon noticing my presence, Agatha gestured enthusiastically to a massive pile of wood that had been assembled just outside the cottage door.

The relief I experienced with the realization that Agatha was not in danger was profound, though I was only able to vaguely express my great surprise as I gathered my thoughts. I could not match Agatha’s obvious delight at this strange occurrence, for any pleasure I experienced was quickly tainted by feelings I can only describe as suspicion and foreboding. I was careful not to let my demeanor reveal these emotions, for I was conscious of the fact that my constant misery greatly contributed to Agatha’s own distress. Even as my mind was suffused with a multitude of questions (Who could have done this? How do they know of us? What is their purpose? Where are they now?), I resolved to keep my misgivings confined to my own wretched consciousness. Perhaps this was, in fact, the work of a kind spirit, no matter how fervently my intuition fought to signify the contrary.

Even so, I refused to stray far from the cottage that day, contenting myself with gardening and minor repairs in order to keep a watchful eye on my family. I was only beginning to recover from the anguish I had brought upon the three of us by putting my father and Agatha in danger, and I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure that no more misfortune would come to them. Their safety had become my priority, and I would never again compromise this responsibility with my own desires.

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