“That will not suit our Mary; for she commits no faults, and is never angry with us, but when we do something wrong.”
“Then,” said the father, “I will show you a Mary, who will protect her and you, and all good children. See how fairly she is represented, with her gown covered with golden stars.”
The boy was lost in wonder at the portrait of the Virgin, which the Sub-Prior turned up to him.
“This,” he said, “is really like our sweet Mary; and I think I will let you take away the black book, that has no such goodly shows in it, and leave this for Mary instead. But you must promise to bring back the book, good father—for now I think upon it, Mary may like that best which was her mother’s.”
“I will certainly return,” said the monk, evading his answer, “and perhaps I may teach you to write
