Zeena's POV (Ethan Frome)

Zeena's POV

My version of the scene from Zeena's point of view:

Ethan and Mattie should be coming back from the village soon. Ethan has taken a liking to escorting that silly girl to the church so she could dance. I had first suggest her go to the village sometimes in hopes of getting her out of the house, and perhaps some young man would take a liking to her and take her off my hands.

I heard Ethan and Mattie step onto the porch. I wonder if I'll catch them doing something. I have suspected that something has been going on between them for a while now. Well I know Ethan has been acting different ever since Mattie's come. He's even taken to shaving every morning! He doesn't do anything of the sort for me.

They stopped before the door. "Matt-"Ethan said, what? What is he going to say? I heard a creak, one of them must have moved. "It's not there!" Ethan said with a start. Ah, they've finally realized I hadn't put the key out for them I chuckled to myself. Good, that should put them in their place. Ethan is MY husband and I control him and this household.

"Maybe she's forgotten it" Mattie murmured, I scoffed to myself. As if I'd forget, I'm no young, frivolous girl like her. "It might have fallen off into the snow."

"It must have been pushed off then." I heard Ethan say in response. Sure, that's likely, I thought to myself, surely they know I've done it on purpose. They were silent now. Perhaps I should make my entrance. I tiptoed back toward the stairs grabbing the lantern as I went. I would simply step up then down, making an illusion that I was simply coming down from my room.

I made a distinct step on the stairs and made my way back toward the door. I creaked the door open and saw Ethan. He was looking at me in almost disgust or contempt.  It made me feel, ugly, like he was comparing me to her. Shock ran through me. We had been married for years, how could he look at me like that? Of course I hid the emotion before Ethan could notice.

I stepped aside while holding the lamp allowing them to enter and they walked to the kitchen.

"Guess you forgot about us, Zeena." Ethan said, anger flushed through me. Two can play at this game.

"No. I just felt so mean I couldn't sleep." I replied, keeping my voice calm and even. Mattie with a ridiculous red scarf and red cheeks came forward saying,

"I'm so sorry Zeena! Isn't there anything I can do?"

"No: there's nothing," I retorted coldly, as if there would be something she could do, she's the cause of the problem. "You might 'a' shook off that snow outside." I added disdainfully to my husband as he stomped his boots.

I started toward the stairs, carrying the lamp with me, while Ethan hung his coat and hat on a peg. Then to my surprise he said,

"I guess I won't come up yet awhile." I stopped to turn and look at him and said sharply.

"For land's sake-what you going to do down here?"

"I've got the mill accounted to go over." He slowly responded. I stared at him in disbelief, this must have something to do with Mattie.

"At this time o' night? You'll ketch your death. The fire's out long ago." I noted harshly. He moved away toward the kitchen and saw him glance at Mattie, a flash of fury went through me and I turned away making my way up the stairs knowing he'll eventually follow.