In trying to escape from this inquisitive neighbour , Marie hurt her foot , but was caught , and confessed that it was she who went at night to water poor Mother Lobineau 's cabbages ; because if they failed the old woman might starve , and no one else remembered her destitute and helpless state . The good-hearted people were much touched by this silent sermon on loving one 's neighbour as one 's self , and Marie was called the ` little saint , ' and tended carefully by all the good women . Just as the story ended , she woke up , and at first seemed inclined to hide under the bedclothes . But we had her out in a minute , and presently she was laughing over her good deed , with a true child 's enjoyment of a bit of roguery , saying in her simple way , -- ` Yes ; it was so droll to go running about en chemise , like the girl in the tale of the ` Midsummer Eve , ' where she pulls the Saint Johns-wort flower , and has her wish to hear all the creatures talk . I liked it much , and Yvon slept so like the dormouse that he never heard me creep in and out . 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 XXXXX .
Lehon Malo Marie Yvon cabbages day escape garlands prayer-books primroses