In the forest, or, Pictures of life and scenery in the woods of Canada

by Catherine Parr Traill

From the book:"Nurse, what is the name of that pretty creature you have in your hand? What bright eyes it has! What a soft tail - just like a gray feather! Is it a little beaver?" asked the Governor's little daughter, as her nurse came into the room where her young charge, whom we shall call Lady Mary, was playing with her doll. Carefully sheltered against her breast, its velvet nose just peeping from beneath her muslin neckerchief, the nurse held a small gray-furred animal, of the most delicate form and colour.