114 GOLDEN DAYS 



voiced daughter plies her with eager 

 questions. The Holy Virgin so longed to 

 see it all, that at last she took a day off 

 and slipped quietly away. 



Now, as we said, it was in autumn-time 

 that the Holy Virgin came to Brittany, 

 yet in that year, Nature forgot her 

 seasons, for as the Virgin crossed the 

 landes spring violets were born again to 

 strew her path. Easter daffodils sprang 

 up to see her pass, with wild, pale roses 

 and all the summer flowers, and each had 

 its tiny voice to greet her: Alleluia! 

 Alleluia ! From every tree the birds flew 

 out singing Ave Maria ! Ave Maria ! to 

 greet the Queen of Heaven as she passed 

 by. From every Breton steeple rang the 

 bells far out across the landes. Said the 

 bells of St. Malo : 



" Je mets ma confiance, 

 Vierge, en votre secours." 



With deep-tongued voice the bells of 

 Quimper answered : 



" Reine de I'Arvor, te saluons ; 

 Vierge immaculee, en toi nous croyons." 



Even the cattle, the fowls, and the ducks 

 all paid homage ; the savage farm -dogs 



