Chapter 51 Summary

It is the second winter that Herriot has spent in the Yorkshire region, and already the snowfall is significant. Herriot receives a call to a farmer's house that is very remote, and he gets ready for the long walk because the snowplows do not normally plow in this area.

Herriot drives as far as he can and begins the long walk up the large hill toward the farmhouse. The snow is quite deep, but he keeps up a steady progress until a blizzard strikes. Herriot loses his bearings and can't see the farmhouse from his vantage point. He wanders hopelessly through the snow, falling into enormous drifts before finally stumbling onto the farmhouse. The farmer greets him and follows Herriot to the barn.

Once Herriot and the farmer are inside, the farmer, who seems oblivious to the blizzard, remarks: "Ay. It's a plain...