spoke:--"It shows we are but little children in the hand of the good
God. Francois was one of the best men of these parts in the woods,
and at finding his way; people who came here used to take him as
guide, and always did he bring them back without mishap. And now he
himself is lost. We are but little children. Some there be who think
themselves pretty strong-able to get on without God's help in their
houses and on their lands...but in the bush..." With solemn
voice and slowly-moving head he repeated: "We are but little
children."

"A good man he was," said Eutrope Gagnon, "in very truth a good
man, strong and brave, with ill-will to none.'

"Indeed that is true. I am not saying that the good God had cause
to send him to his death-him more than another. He was a fine
fellow, hard-working, and I loved him well. But it shows you ..."

"No one ever had a thing against him." Eutrope's generous
insistence carried him on. "A man hard to match for work, afraid of
nothing and obliging withal. Everyone who knew him was fond of
him. You will not find his like."

Raising his eyes to Maria he repeated with emphasis:--"He was a
good man, you will. not find his like."

"When we were at Mistassini," began Madame Chapdelaine, "seven years
ago, he was only a lad, but very strong and quick and as tall. as he
is now-I mean as he was when he came here last summer. Always
good-natured too. No one could help liking him."