It was hard to bring much water , but the poor cabbages were so glad , and Mother Lobineau felt that all had not forgotten her . We took care that little Saint Marie was not forgotten , but quite well , and all ready for her confirmation when the day came . This is a pretty sight , and for her sake we went to the old church of St. Sauveur to see it . It was a bright spring day , and the gardens were full of early flowers , the quaint streets gay with proud fathers and mothers in holiday dress , and flocks of strangers pausing to see the long procession of little girls with white caps and veils , gloves and gowns , prayer-books and rosaries , winding through the sunny square into the shadowy church with chanting and candles , garlands and crosses . The old priest was too ill to perform the service , but the young one who took his place announced , after it was over , that if they would pass the house the good old man would bless them from his balcony . That was the best of all , and a sweet sight , as the feeble fatherly old priest leaned from his easy-chair to stretch his trembling hands over the little flock so like a bed of snowdrops , while the bright eyes and rosy faces looked reverently up at him , and the fresh voices chanted the responses as the curly heads under the long veils bowed and passed by . We learned afterwards that our Marie had been called in and praised for her secret charity -- a great honour , because the good priest was much beloved by all his flock , and took a most paternal interest in the little ones . That was almost the last we saw of our little friend , for we left Dinan soon after , bidding the Lehon family good-bye , and leaving certain warm souvenirs for winter-time . Marie cried and clung to us at parting , then smiled like an April day , and waved her hand as we went away , never expecting to see her any more . But the next morning , just as we were stepping on board the steamer to go down the Rance to St. Malo , we saw a little white cap come bobbing through the market-place , down the steep street , and presently Marie appeared with two great bunches of pale yellow primroses and wild blue hyacinths in one hand , while the other held her sabots , that she might run the faster . Rosy and smiling and breathless with haste she came racing up to us , crying , -- ` Behold my souvenir for the dear ladies . I do not cry now . No ; I am glad the day is so fine . Bon voyage ! bon voyage ! ' We thanked and kissed and left her on the shore , bravely trying not to cry , as she waved her wooden shoes and kissed her hand till we were out of sight , and had nothing but the soft colours and sweet breath of our nosegays to remind us of Little Marie of Lehon . MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS . Being alone in London , yet wishing to celebrate the day , I decided to pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens . A lovely place it was , and I enjoyed myself immensely ; for May-day in England is just what it should be , mild , sunny , flowery , and spring-like . As I walked along the well-kept paths , between white and rosy hawthorn hedges , I kept coming upon new and curious sights ; for the birds and beasts are so skilfully arranged that it is more like travelling through a strange and pleasant country than visiting a menagerie .
The first thing I XXXXX was a great American bison ; and I was so glad to meet with any one from home , that I 'd have patted him with pleasure if he had shown any cordiality toward me .
am bidding bless cry kissed leaving passed remind saw thanked