What were the defining characteristics of the New England colonies?

That they were puritan, that their lives centered richly around their religions. This is the main difference of the New England colonies and the rest of them.

I hope that helps! If you want me to go into more detail let me know!!

The passage is "Gabriel, wrapped in his inadequate blanket, was hunched, shivering, and silent in his little seat.

Jonas stopped the bike wearily, lifted the child down, and realized with heartbreak how cold and  weak Gabe had become.  Standing in the freezing mound that was thickening around his numb feet, Jonas opened his own  tunic, held Gabriel to his bare chest"

So he wants to share his body heat with Gabriel.