Quotes by Jane Smiley

Many said that now there was no hope of salvation, for a man might do anything and be in the wrong.  There was no way to tell.  It was better to stay on the steading and mind the cows and be content with such days as are left to one and cease to wonder about life everlasting.

After a long day, folk rest at night.  After a long summer, folk play games and sit about in the winter.  After a long life folk sit about the fire and stay warm, for the chill of death is upon them, and even the thickest bearskin can't keep off the shivering.