第1071页 / 共1118页

"You will pray for him, and for me also, my children. You will

remember your poor friar?" And drawing from his basket a small

wooden box, "Within this box are the remains of the loaf-the

first I asked for charity-the loaf of which you have heard; I

leave it to you; show it to your children; they will come into a

wicked world; they will meet the proud and insolent. Tell them

always to forgive, always! every thing, every thing! And let them

pray for the poor friar!"

Lucy took the box from his hands with reverence, and he

continued, "Now tell me what you mean to do here at Milan? and

who will conduct you to your mother?"

"This good lady has been a mother to me," said Lucy; "we shall

leave this place together, and she will provide for all."

"May God bless her!" said the friar, approaching the bed.