What the wind did

In Short

This is a gentle, moralistic tale of a young bank clerk, Rufus, and a small, precocious girl named Greta. When a windstorm brings them together, their unlikely friendship begins to challenge Rufus’s self-centered ambitions and Greta’s rigid, duty-bound upbringing. Spanning fifteen years, the narrative traces their growth from childhood to adulthood, focusing on the power of faith and the necessity of forgiveness. It remains a poignant example of late-Victorian didactic fiction, cherished for its earnest, simple characterizations and its focus on the redemptive influence of one life upon another.

The Story

The story begins in a quiet village where Rufus Tracy, an ambitious but lonely bank clerk, meets Greta Clay, a young girl struggling against the gale and the stern discipline of her family’s nurse, "Becca." Despite the nurse’s disapproval of their "unequal friendship," Rufus and Greta form a bond. Rufus is drawn to the child’s sincerity, while Greta finds in him a protector. As they spend time together—reading, walking, and discussing life—Rufus shares his history: he is a man who left home after a bitter rift with his mother, who had hoped he would enter the clergy.

The narrative takes a sharp turn when Mrs. Clay passes away, and Greta is whisked away by relatives. Rufus, left to his own devices, continues his career and eventually inherits a fortune from an eccentric acquaintance. Fifteen years pass before they meet again in London. Greta has grown into a graceful, selfless young woman, still guided by the principles of duty she learned from her nurse. Rufus, though wealthy, remains hardened by his estrangement from his mother.

Recognizing the unresolved bitterness in Rufus’s heart, Greta makes it her quiet mission to orchestrate a reunion between him and his mother. She acts as a catalyst, nudging him to look past his own wounded pride. Eventually, Greta arranges an introduction at a social gathering, forcing a confrontation that breaks down Rufus’s defenses. Mother and son are reconciled, and the weight of Rufus’s long-held resentment lifts. In the final scenes, Rufus realizes that the "sprite" who once comforted him as a child is the only woman he wants by his side. The story concludes with their engagement, a fulfillment of the "proper ending" Rufus had joked about years before, bringing his personal history to a peaceful close.

How It Unfolds

The storm and the meeting A fierce March wind blows Greta into the path of Rufus, who is immediately struck by her fragile appearance and earnest nature. He decides to protect her from the elements and from the harshness of her daily life, sparking an unlikely friendship.

The lessons of youth As they grow closer, Rufus shares his past grievances while Greta, under the influence of her nurse, teaches him about service and faith. These conversations leave a lasting mark on Rufus’s conscience, even as the two are eventually separated by life’s circumstances.

A chance reunion Years later, a chance meeting in a London drawing-room brings the two together again. Rufus has attained wealth, and Greta has become a selfless woman who still embodies the virtues of her childhood, prompting Rufus to see her in a new, romantic light.

The bridge of reconciliation Greta uses her influence to help Rufus mend his broken relationship with his mother, acting as the peacekeeper she was once imagined to be. Through this act, Rufus sheds his stubborn pride and finally finds the happiness he had been searching for.

The People

Rufus Tracy begins as a confident, self-absorbed young man focused on career advancement and harboring deep resentment toward his mother. Through Greta’s influence, he evolves into a man who values relationships over pride, ultimately finding peace through forgiveness.

Greta Clay is a delicate, thoughtful child who transitions into a woman of quiet strength. She is defined by her "childish aspirations" to help others, a trait that remains her defining quality. She serves as the moral compass of the story, consistently putting the needs of others—specifically her mother, her aunt, and finally Rufus—above her own.

Becca (the nurse) acts as the moral anchor of the household. Though stern and often viewed as a "dragon" by Rufus, her strict adherence to duty and scripture provides the foundation for Greta’s character, shaping the way Greta views the world long after Becca has stepped out of the direct narrative.

Mrs. Tracy, though physically absent for much of the book, represents the source of Rufus’s internal struggle. Her reconciliation with her son serves as the emotional climax, completing his transformation.

In Its Own Voice

"The wind has no pity for weakness, and with a wild shriek of fiendish delight, it bore down upon the frail little body."

This passage describes the sudden, chaotic moment of the first meeting between Rufus and Greta.

"I thought of him as some unknown hero, and it was only long afterward that I associated him with yourself."

Greta reveals to Rufus that she had kept the memory of his story alive throughout the long years of their separation.

"People must have sad memories through life, but they need not have remorseful ones!"

Greta quotes Becca’s wisdom to persuade Rufus that his pride is not worth the cost of a permanent family rift.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the tension between self-interest and duty to others. It argues that personal growth is rarely a solitary endeavor, but rather something facilitated by the influence of those who see the best in us. The narrative poses deep questions about the nature of pride—suggesting it is a barrier to happiness—and the restorative power of forgiveness. It emphasizes that a "successful" life is not measured by the wealth one accumulates, but by the reconciliation one achieves with one’s past and the service one renders to others. It is a quiet meditation on how small, consistent acts of kindness can alter the trajectory of a human heart.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the gentle, character-driven pace of Victorian-era fiction will find much to admire here. There is a distinct, rhythmic warmth to the prose that makes the reading experience feel like stepping into a quieter, more deliberate time. Those who appreciate stories about the long-term impact of childhood connections will find the arc of Rufus and Greta’s relationship deeply satisfying.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book’s unabashedly moralistic tone; it is a piece of evangelical fiction from the late 1890s, and its characters speak and act with a formal, sometimes rigid piety that reflects the period. The dialogue occasionally features the colloquialisms of the time, and the social attitudes—particularly regarding the roles of women and nurses—are firmly rooted in the nineteenth century. It is not a fast-paced novel, but rather a slow, thoughtful reflection on character development. If you are looking for a story that prizes patience, spiritual reflection, and the quiet triumph of forgiveness over stubborn ego, this book will leave you with a sense of peace and a reminder of the enduring power of simple, honest, and early friendships.