The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse

In mid-July of 1962, a man sits in a Chevrolet outside the convent for three days until police question him and learn that he is Father Gregory Wekkle. When his thirst finally gets the better of him, he approaches the convent and asks Sister Mary Martin for water. He then seeks to give his confession to Father Damien, but he finds himself overcome with emotion and cannot complete the ritual. As Agnes sits in the confessional, she suddenly realizes his identity and despairs because she does not know whether she has the ability to grant him absolution.

Seeing that Gregory is dying of cancer caused by alcoholism, Agnes takes him to her cabin, where he lives with her for several weeks. Although the reunion offers them both a form of healing, Agnes finds herself troubled by Gregory’s subtly sexist condescension, and she wonders if he showed her similar condescension during their romance years ago. Gregory finally dies in a hospital in the city of Fargo. Later, while sitting alone in a park, Agnes encounters the unhoused Mashkiigikwe, one of Kashpaw’s former wives, who is now burdened by an addiction to alcohol.

Mashkiigikwe recognizes Father Damien and taunts the priest, saying, “Go back and save the others like you saved me” (305).