Part 10 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: HARVESTING GRAIN BY HAND IN BELGIUM]

Philippe could not let himself think of that. To the market place he went.

”Where is the fair?” he asked a pa.s.serby.

”It left Ghent last night,” was the answer. ”It will be in Bruges (=broo'jez=) for three days, and I only wish I could go there and see it again.”

Philippe did not hear the last remark. He had already turned. Everything had begun to whirl about him. But he stumbled on, on.

”We must follow them to Bruges, Trompke,” he said, bravely.

But Trompke lay down on the sidewalk with his head between his paws. His tongue was lolling. His eyes said, ”Not I! I stay!”

But Philippe was already walking away. Trompke arose wearily and followed. What dog has the right to refuse the commands of a boy? It is true that in this case the dog was more sensible than the boy.

For Philippe was completely worn out. He was so tired and hungry, he could scarcely think. It would have been better had he rested awhile.

But all he could think of was finding Tom and Zelie and joining them.

Chapter IX

THE CITY OF SISTERS

Philippe approached the great Convent of Ghent. This convent is different from most convents. It is like a little village where each sister has her own cosy house. These sisters have given up the life of the world. They live their own lives in this City of Sisters. They spend their time making beautiful laces, doing charity work and going to church.

Philippe had heard of the convent in Ghent. He had seen some of the sisters in Brussels at times. He knew they were kind and he determined to enter one of their homes and ask for food.

At the gate of the convent, Philippe met an elderly sister. She wore a long black gown and a snow-white cap. Her face was ruddy and wrinkled.

She smiled at Philippe and stopped.

”You look tired, little one,” she said.

Philippe answered, ”I have walked many miles. I am hungry.”

The sister then led him into her wee house. It looked like a gingerbread house. It was like all the other houses at the convent. It was made of brick.

”Come, let me give you some broth,” said the sister kindly.

And she gave Philippe a bowl of delicious broth. They sat together in her neat little room.

When Philippe finished the broth he said, ”Thank you, my sister. You are very kind.” Then he told her his story.

”I must go on to Bruges,” he finished ”For the fair is in Bruges, and I shall find my friends there.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GREAT CONVENT OF GHENT]

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