Pages 81-88 (The End):

Ethan and Mattie took off, speeding down the dark hill, they raced toward the big elm tree and then they made impact. They pair lay spralled across the snow. It occurs to Ethan that he is not dead, and he looks round and finds Mattie. The pair lay spralled out on the ground. When they are found Mattie is taken to the Hale's house to recover and Ethan to the ministers house. When they can be moved they both return home to the Frome's house, where Zeena is their nurse.

The story returns to "present day" and teh narrarator enters Ethan's home and see's Mattie sitting in a comfy chair by the fire, she looks like she has serious spinal problems. Zeena is making dinner. The scene is very sad, and the narrarator feels uncomfortable. The next day he goes to Mrs. Hale's house and further inquires about the Frome household. Mrs. Hale tells him that it is a truely sad story. No one knows what ethan and Mattie were doing that night riding a sled in the dark when they were supposed to be at the train station. Ever since the accident Zeena has been caring for the both of them (and this is a tremendous sacrifice, because she never completely retained her health). Mrs. Hale confides in our narrarator that she believes it would have been better for Ethan and Mattie and had Mattie died in the accident, because her life is so pitiful. Mattie lost her love of life and since the accident has grown sour. But Mrs. Hale says nobody has suffered as much as Ethan.