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Updated: June 28, 2025
A bare-footed boy was driving a flock of goats past. The child stopped and gazed intently at the stranger. "Child, who lives in this little house?" said Dr. Eben, cautiously hiding his stolen handful of lavender. "Tantibba," replied the boy. "What!" exclaimed the doctor. "I don't understand you. What is the name?" "Tantibba!
The villagers had been told by Father Antoine, that this stranger who was to marry their good "Tantibba," was one who had known and loved her for twenty years, and who had been seeking her vainly all these years that she had lived in St. Mary's. The tale struck a warm chord in the breasts of the affectionate and enthusiastic people.
Alarmed at this suggestion, young Pierre made a master-stroke of invention, and replied on the instant: "Nay, Bo Tantibba , that it will not; for it is the little sister of Jean Cochot which has been badly bitten by a fierce dog, and the mother has her there in her arms waiting for thee to dress her wounds. Oh, but the blood doth run! and the little one's cries would pierce thy heart!"
She wore on her head only a close white cap; and her gray gown was straight and scant: on her arm she carried a basket of scarlet plaited straw, which made a fine bit of color against the gray and white of her costume. It was just growing dusk, and the doctor could not distinguish her features. At that moment, a lad came running from the inn, and darted across the road, calling aloud, "Tantibba!
Tantibba!" The woman turned her head, at the name, and waited till the lad came to her. Dr. Eben stood still, watching them. "So that is Tantibba?" he thought, "what can the name be?" Presently the lad came back with a bunch of long drooping balm-stalks in his hand. "Who was that you spoke to then?" asked the doctor. "Tantibba!" replied the lad, hurrying on. Dr. Eben caught him by the shoulder.
While he was dressing, he found himself persistently thinking of the strange name, "Tantibba." "It is odd how that name haunts me," he thought. "I wish I could see it written: I haven't the least idea how it is spelled. I wonder if she is an impostor. Her garden didn't look like it." Presently he sauntered out: the morning stir was just beginning in the village.
Bo Tantibba!" till the place rang. Then they placed the pet lamb in a little enclosed paddock which had been built for him during the day, and the children fed him with red clover blossoms through the paling; and presently, Father Antoine considerately led his flock away, saying, "The good Aunt is weary. See you not that her eyes droop, and she has no words?
"Oh, that means merely 'Good Aunt Hibba," she said confusedly. "You see some of them think I have been good to them; that's all: but usually they call me only 'Tantibba." "Why did you call yourself 'Hibba'?" he said. "I don't know," replied Hetty. "It came into my head." "Don't they know your last name?" asked her husband, earnestly. "Oh!" said Hetty, "I changed that too." Dr.
The whole village was in great joy, both for love of "Tantibba," and for the love of romance, so natural to the French heart. Every one who had a flower in blossom picked it, or brought the plant to place in the chapel. Every man, woman, and child in the town, dressed as for a fête, was in the chapel, and praying for "Tantibba," long before the hour for the ceremony.
Then they suddenly wheeled and surrounded the bewildered Hetty, and bore her with them. The children, carrying their little pots of flowers, ran along shouting and screaming with laughter to see the good "Tantibba" so amazed. Louder and louder rose the chorus: "For thee! For thee! May the good saints bless the day thou wert born!" Hetty was speechless: her cheeks flushed.
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