Jack lied to Mabel in Chapter 10. The narrative looks back to follow Jack into the woods. After chasing the girl and losing her, small footprints led him into a ravine and to a small door built into the side of a hill. This, he surmised, must be where the girl lives. He did not go up to the door. As he returned, he decided not to tell Mabel.

Days later, while splitting wood, Jack sees the child. Jack returns to the house, and the child follows. Mabel, delighted, welcomes her. Wordlessly, the skittish girl offers Mabel a small ermine pelt she has in her coat pocket. When they sit down for dinner, the child, clearly famished, devours everything on her plate with her hands. Suddenly the girl is flushed. Jack opens the door despite the subzero temperatures. The girl grabs her coat and heads into the night. On her way out, she thanks the couple in a fragile voice.