I, however, explained to Matilda the beauty of the
divine precept, 'Do unto others as you would they should do unto you,'
asking her how she would have liked to be detained by the savages, and
what, then, would be the suffering of her own mamma? She was thoughtful
for a moment, and then, embracing Minou and me, 'You are right, mamma
mimi; but if she loves her baby, let her come and seek him,' said the
little rebel. In the mean time, Sophia had been out, and returned with
some brilliant flowers, fresh after the rain, with which they made
garlands to dress up the infant. 'Oh! if his mamma saw him, she would be
glad to let us have him,' said Matilda. She then explained to her sister
who this mamma was, and Sophia shed tears to think of the sorrow of the
poor mother. 'But how do you know, mamma, that she was Minou's mother?'
demanded she. This question proved that her judgment was forming, and I
took the opportunity of teaching her what information one may derive
from observation. She understood me very well; and when I told her on
what I had founded my idea, she trembled to think he had been brought
here by a bear, and asked me if the bear would have eaten him.
"'I cannot answer for it,' said I, 'if it had been pressed by hunger;
they tell us, that the bear does no harm to man unless attacked, and is
especially fond of children.
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