occasioned by the loss of blood. Many other misfortunes of the
like kind she frequently experienced; but these which I have now
related may serve to convince you how extremely absurd it is for
people to give way to and indulge themselves in such groundless
apprehensions, and, by being afraid when there is no danger,
subject themselves to real misfortunes and most fatal accidents.
And if being afraid of cows, dogs, and wasps (all of which, if
they please, can certainly hurt us) is so ridiculous, what must be
the folly of those people who are terrified at a little silly
mouse, which never was known to hurt anybody?'

Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of some
gentlemen and ladies; and we having enjoyed a very fine repast
under one of the chairs during the time that the mother and
daughter had held the above discourse, on the chairs being removed
for some of the visitors to sit upon, we thought it best to
retire: highly pleased with our meal, and not less with the kind
goodwill which the lady had, we thought, expressed towards us. We
related to our brother Brighteyes all that had passed, and assured
him he had no reason to apprehend any danger from venturing
himself with us. Accordingly he promised, if such was the case,
that the next time we went and found it safe, if we would return
back and call him, he would certainly accompany us. 'In the mean
time, do pray, Nimble,' said he, addressing himself to me, 'come
with me to some other place, for I long to taste some more
delicate food than our mother has provided for us: besides, as
perhaps it may be a long while before we shall be strong enough to
bring anything away with us, we had better leave that, in case we
should ever be prevented from going abroad to seek for fresh
supplies.' 'Very true,' replied I; 'what you say is quite just