The character in Alice Munro's "Runaway" quietly clings to the possibility of receiving a word from Penelope. This longing is not desperate; rather, it reflects a deeper understanding of the unpredictability of life. Her hope is laced with a sense of realism, acknowledging that such blessings often come without effort or expectation.

This subtle hope resembles the way people wish for unexpected positive changes, like a miraculous recovery. It’s a gentle yearning for something elusive, capturing the essence of human desire for connection and understanding, without any pressure for it to materialize.