- Robert Douglas: It's a pretty tough life for a woman without a man.
- Maggie Sergeant: It's a hard life, Mr. Douglas, with or without a man.
- [first lines]
- Maggie Sergeant: March 10, 1867. The events of this day have been extraordinary, indeed, almost frightening. I had expected to live out the rest of my days here in Indiana. Here, where I was born, was married, and gave birth to my two children. But within the week, I will never again be able to call Huntingville my home.
- Maggie Sergeant: John and I have been man and wife some 13 years now. Yet in matters of importance, he consults me no more than he does the children.
- Maggie Sergeant: Today I shot a rabbit. Oh, I felt so triumphant. Until Mr. Douglas rode up. He, of course, had shot a large, fat antelope.
- Robert Douglas: Hey Mrs. Sergeant... If you put your foot in here I'll help you up and give you a ride home.
- Maggie Sergeant: [voice-over] So it was that Mr. Douglas brought me home.
- [last lines]
- Maggie Sergeant: John dreamt of a promise in this land. Now that promise is ours. For I know myself an alien here no more. Tomorrow, all our tomorrows, will be busy days.
- Maggie Sergeant: [journaling about her husband] Though he spares us all he can, he will not spare himself. I am an ingrate to resent it. My hope is that when he returns, there'll be more time for us. He is truly the best of men.