Zeena an Mattie are obvious foils. Zeena is nasty where Mattie is sweet. Zeena is sick but Mattie is healthy. Zeena is prematurely old, while Mattie is a flower of youth. Zeena is Ethan's wife, while Mattie is his love. Or at least that's how it is for most of the story. Then all of a sudden, the tables turn. Suddenly Zeena is healthy and Mattie is ill. Zeena seems young and Mattie appears old.