Answer:
He had lost his dog in the vast, open areas.
Explanation:
In this story, it seems like the man in the caravan had come to the farmhouse where Elisa lived because he believed he had lost his dog in the vast, open areas. This initially scares Elisa, as there are rarely any strangers around these parts and she is on her own. However, she comes to appreciate the chance to talk to someone besides her husband.
