"No, my lady; it is a large town on the shores of the great Lake Ontario."

"And are there many woods near it?"

"Yes; but not so many as there used to be many years ago. The forest is
almost all cleared, and there are fields of wheat and Indian corn, and
nice farms and pretty houses, where a few years back the lofty forest grew
dark and thick."

"Nurse, you said there were acorns, and hickory-nuts, and beech-mast in
the basket. I have seen acorns at home in dear England and Scotland, and I
have eaten the hickory-nuts here; but what is beech-mast? Is it in
granaries for winter stores; and wild ducks and wild pigeons come from the
far north at the season when the beech-mast fall, to eat them; for God
teaches these, His creatures, to know the times and the seasons when His
bounteous hand is open to give them food from His boundless store. A great
many other birds and beasts also feed upon the beech-mast."

"It was very good of your brother to send me this pretty creature,
nurse," said the little lady; "I will ask Papa to give him some money."

"There is no need of that, Lady Mary. My brother is not in want; he has a
farm in the Upper Province, and is very well off."

"I am glad he is well off," said Lady Mary; "indeed, I do not see so many
beggars here as in England."

"People need not beg in Canada, if they are well and strong and can work;
a poor man can soon earn enough money to keep himself and his little ones."