Nate had spent the day depending on others and he was tired of it. The generosity of the North Eastern Railway had gotten him as far as Castleford, and the pity of passing wagon had gotten him to the end of the lane, but now he had to throw himself on the mercy of his brother. Tired, muddy, and hungry Nate's mood did not improve as the door to his childhood home loomed.

Diffuse golden light suggested people were home.

Nate knocked loudly