As the neighbours were going to their
homes, after the woman's return, they were, naturally enough, talking of
the matter, regarding it as a cause of deep thankfulness that no harm
had befallen her. Mr. G., one of the number, although a very
kind-hearted man, had an odd dry manner of speaking which often provoked
a laugh. It so happened that the woman who was lost was very small, her
stature being much below the medium height. Laughter was far enough from
the mind of any one, till old Mr. G., who had not before made a remark,
suddenly said, "sic a wee body as you should never attemp' to gang awa'
her lane through the bush without a bell hanged aboot her neck to let
people ken where to find her in case she should gang off the richt
road." This was too much for the gravity of any one; and the stillness
of the summer night was broken by a burst of hearty laughter from the
whole company; and the old man made the matter little better, when the
laugh had subsided by saying in a very grave manner, "Well, after a' I
think is would be a verra wise-like precaution wi' sic a wee bit body as
her." Time passed on; other settlers located themselves in the vicinity,
and the settlement soon began to wear a prosperous appearance.
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