In the story, the engineer views the two women and their little house as a "beautiful and enduring" inspiration to him; throughout his railroad career, he has always idealized the women and house as the epitome of innocence and perfection. The house has always had "an air of tidiness, thrift, and modest comfort" to it, and the women remind him of everything that is wholesome and good about the female gender.

The engineer had known much toil and trouble in his days. In his service, he had seen at least four tragedies unfold before his eyes. In looking back, he remembers the tormented and stunned faces of those facing death, as the train barreled towards them. He also remembers a body flung past his window after it was presumably hit by the train. Yet, throughout all these tragedies, the women and the house had always comforted him and given him the courage to continue in his work.

He remembers that he imbibed great happiness from seeing them every time his train passed by the women's house. So, he resolves to meet with them when his long years of service with the railroad is over. Alas, his meeting with the women is marred by reality. The women are not at all welcoming or pleasant. Instead, they are sullen, aloof, and hostile. When the engineer leaves them, he finds himself bereft of hope and joy. His path in life has suddenly become clouded and his future uncertain.