WEIRD SISTERS. 293 



As time went on everybody about the place learned 

 to know Gonga's " ways," and scenes were avoided by 

 allowing her to " put her hand " to whatever work she 

 pleased. 



Fortunately, what she pleased to do she did well 

 at all times. One day she was delving a field, or 

 harrowing a "rig;" next she was washing clothes. 

 You would find her one hour cutting grass, and in a 

 few minutes you would see the sickle laid on the 

 grass heap and Gonga was off milking cows. Next 

 she was catching a pony, or dressing a child, or 

 tending a sick dog. 



She was easily beguiled from tantrams by being 

 sent a message to some distant part of the island. 

 She would set out gloomily, but the tramp over hill 

 and dale, the freedom, the solitude of Nature, the 

 gossip with friends, acted like magic on the " dark 

 spirit," and Gonga would come back all smiles and 

 cheerful obedience, her trouble forgot, her "dorts" 

 dispersed to the winds. 



When sorrow of any kind brooded over our house 

 Gonga's leal and thoughtful service could be depended 

 upon. Eest, sleep, comfort she cared not for, nor 

 sought, while it was possible for her to alleviate the 

 trouble in any way. A sure sign that the family- 

 storm was passing over would be Gonga "ta'an the 

 dorts aofain." 



She did not scruple to " speak her mind " about 

 any of us whose actions displeased her : but woe to 

 the outsider who dared breathe one word " against the 



