Part 11 (1/2)

The sister looked serious.

”My boy, does your mother know what you are doing?” she asked.

Philippe shook his head slowly and said, ”But I shall write to her now if you will please give me a pen and some paper.”

After he had written to his parents, the boy looked up and found the good sister's gaze upon him.

”Why don't you give up this idea and go home?” she asked.

But Philippe laughed.

”Oh, no,” he replied, ”I could not do that now. Why, Tom says I shall make great sums of money! Tom is a fine fellow! Oh, my parents will be glad that I went, when I make them rich.”

But still the sister seemed worried.

”Stay with me a day or so,” she urged. ”You are worn out with your long walk. Let me give you rest and food. Then perhaps we may find a way to send you to Bruges.”

Philippe patted her rough, capable hand.

”Thank you, my sister,” he said, ”but I must waste no time.”

Then the sister arose and went to a little table. She took from a drawer a linen bag. From the bag she brought forth some money.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SISTERS OF THE CONVENT]

Handing it to Philippe, she said, ”Take this, little one, and ride to Bruges on it. That way you will reach your friends quickly and save your strength.”

Philippe hesitated at first.

Then he took the money and said, ”I can never thank you enough. But I shall return this money to you. You shall see.”

After Philippe had washed and prepared to leave, he said to his new friend, ”I have heard so much about the fine lace which is made by the sisters of the convent. May I see some of it?”

The good woman smiled and led the boy to another room to show him her work.

But suddenly Philippe started and looked about him with troubled eyes.

”My sister!” he cried, ”I had a little dog. I almost forgot about him!”

”I saw your little dog,” the sister answered. ”He came in with you. But now he has disappeared.”

Philippe began calling, ”Trompke! Trompke!”

The sister helped him search the house.

”I cannot imagine where he went,” exclaimed the sister.

Then they saw a strange sight.

From the big workbasket, where the sister kept her lace, came Trompke.