"Come, there is the Mass bell ringing!" called Mr. Moore from the hall.
A stampede followed. To be late for Mass on May-day would be
inexcusable.
Shortly afterward, our friends filed into the Moore's family pew in the
village church. As Joe knelt down he turned his gaze with a gentle,
happy expression to the Blessed Virgin's shrine. The next moment he
started, and cast a glance of pleased inquiry toward Ellen. His sister
smiled back at him, then bowed her head to recover her gravity.
Hanging from the altar-rail, directly before the statue of Our Lady,
was Joe's handsomest May-basket, just as he knew it would be; for he
had fastened it there himself the first thing in the morning. But
there also were five other pretty baskets,--the offering which each of
his sisters and cousins had made, unknown to one another. The pleasant
discovery created a momentary flutter in the pew, but that was
all--then.
So this was Ellen's surprise! Each silently admitted that it was a
good one. When they left the church, however, they had a merry time
over it.
"But, Ellen, how did you know what I was going to do with my basket?"
asked Joe at last.
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