Which line from "new land, new life" best supports the claim that families on the prairie survive by one another? ruth’s will to provide for them had proved more powerful than her grief. under the homestead act, she had filed a claim for 160 acres of unruly nebraska land, covered as far as the eye could see with wild grasses, boulders, and sunlight. “henry, ride out to the shelby homestead and send word.” the shelbys lived four miles away, so henry would have to bunk with them for the night, but ruth knew that they’d arrive the next day with provisions and for the new family. ruth clamored out into the sunshine as the shouts grew louder and more urgent. a man she did not recognize looked stricken with worry as he half ran, half walked toward her. the land inspector would be arriving soon, and this land and the home built from its very earth would be hers. she would be a landowner, the head of her household, as successful as any homesteader could hope to be.