ELA LIVES A QUIET, LONELY LIFE ON HER IMPOVERISHED RANCH. SHE BOTHERS NO ONE AND NO ONE BOTHERS HER. THIS ALL CHANGES WHEN A YOUNG GIRL SHOWS UP ALL BRUISED AND BLOODIED ON HER PROPERTY ONE DAY. THE GIRL APPEARS TO BE A MUTE, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT SHE IS RUNNING FROM SOMETHING. RELUCTANT TO STICK HER NECK OUT AT FIRST, ELA FINALLY TAKES PITY ON THE HAPLESS RUNAWAY AND GIVES HER CLEAN CLOTHES AND A BED TO SLEEP IN. JUST FOR ONE NIGHT. BUT, OF COURSE, THE NEXT DAY ELA HASN'T THE HEART TO KICK OUT THE POOR GIRL AND AS TIME PASSES THE TWO OF THEM BECOME FRIENDS IN THEIR OWN SILENT WAY. AND SO IT MAY HAVE CONTINUED INDEFINITELY IF ONE PASTOR CLARENCE FINN DIDN'T COME LOOKING FOR HIS LOST LITTLE RABBIT.