The Story of a Soul | Page 9

home four hours later, everyone else had
forgotten about it, but she ran at once to Marie saying: 'Tell Papa that I
tore the paper.' She waited there like a criminal for sentence; but she
thinks she is more easily forgiven if she accuses herself."
Papa's name fills me with many happy memories. Mamma laughingly
said he always did whatever I wanted, but he answered: "Well, why not?
She is the Queen!" Then he would lift me on to his shoulder, and caress
me in all sorts of ways. Yet I cannot say that he spoilt me. I remember
one day while I was swinging he called out as he passed: "Come and
kiss me, little Queen." Contrary to my usual custom, I would not stir,
and answered pertly: "You must come for it, Papa." He refused quite
rightly, and went away. Marie was there and scolded me, saying: "How
naughty to answer Papa like that!" Her reproof took effect; I got off the
swing at once, and the whole house resounded with my cries. I hurried
upstairs, not waiting this time to call Mamma at each step; my one
thought was to find Papa and make my peace with him. I need not tell
you that this was soon done.
I could not bear to think I had grieved my beloved parents, and I
acknowledged my faults instantly, as this little anecdote, related by my
Mother, will show: "One morning before going downstairs I wanted to
kiss Thérèse; she seemed to be fast asleep, and I did not like to wake
her, but Marie said: 'Mamma, I am sure she is only pretending.' So I
bent down to kiss her forehead, and immediately she hid herself under
the clothes, saying in the tone of a spoilt child: 'I don't want anyone to
look at me.' I was not pleased with her, and told her so. A minute or
two afterwards I heard her crying, and was surprised to see her by my
side. She had got out of her cot by herself, and had come downstairs
with bare feet, stumbling over her long nightdress. Her little face was
wet with tears: 'Mamma,' she said, throwing herself on my knee, 'I am
sorry for being naughty--forgive me!' Pardon was quickly granted; I
took the little angel in my arms and pressed her to my heart, smothering

her with kisses."
I remember also my great affection for my eldest sister Marie, who had
just left school. Without seeming to do so, I took in all that I saw and
heard, and I think that I reflected on things then as I do now. I listened
attentively while she taught Céline, and was very good and obedient, so
as to obtain the privilege of being allowed in the room during lessons.
She gave me many trifling presents which pleased me greatly. I was
proud of my two big sisters; but as Pauline seemed so far away from us,
I thought of her all day long. When I was only just learning to talk, and
Mamma asked: "What are you thinking about?" my answer invariably
was: "Pauline." Sometimes I heard people saying that Pauline would be
a nun, and, without quite knowing what it meant, I thought: "I will be a
nun too." This is one of my first recollections, and I have never
changed my mind; so it was the example of this beloved sister which,
from the age of two, drew me to the Divine Spouse of Virgins. My
dearest Mother, what tender memories of Pauline I could confide to
you here! But it would take me too long.
Léonie had also a very warm place in my heart; she loved me very
much, and her love was returned. In the evening when she came home
from school she used to take care of me while the others went out, and
it seems to me I can still hear the sweet songs she sang to put me to
sleep. I remember perfectly the day of her First Communion, and I
remember also her companion, the poor child whom my Mother
dressed, according to the touching custom of the well-to-do families in
Alençon. This child did not leave Léonie for an instant on that happy
day, and in the evening at the grand dinner she sat in the place of
honour. Alas! I was too small to stay up for this feast, but I shared in it
a little, thanks to Papa's goodness, for he came himself to bring his little
Queen a piece of the iced cake.
The only one now left to speak of is Céline, the companion of my
childhood. My memories of her are so many that I do not know which
to choose. We understood each other perfectly,