After leaving the south to live with her husband Lars, Emma is beginning to adjust to the wintery climate of her new home. She is surprised to find abundant beauty in the surrounding snowfields, which she initially thought to be harsh and uniform. Her young baby Piers has only seen the winter weather and has yet to witness a proper changing of seasons. When Lars returns home from the cold outdoors, Emma comments on the smell of snow. Lars, who suffers from anosmia (the loss of the sense of smell), dismisses her attempt at conversation per usual. She likens her husband to a bear, characterizing him as solitary and disinclined to unnecessary conversation. In contrast, Emma is a self-described goose, belonging with all the other chatty and noisy geese. Her warm and mirthful life in the south juxtaposes with the cold and silent life she leads now with her unaffectionate husband. Although she and her husband rarely conversate, Emma often talks with Piers. In high spirits, she tells her baby all about her old life in the south, reminiscing about the rich landscape and loving people.