Amy made many visits to the Blessed Sacrament, indeed she would have remained hours in the Chapel if allowed. Mrs. Allen read interesting and instructive spiritual books, especially one by Père Bordalou on the "Last Supper." This she read every day, because she was anxious that it should be deeply engraven on her children's minds and hearts.
After the evening meal some of the Sisters would sit with the family under the trees in the garden, or walk about the beautiful grounds. One day Amy pointed to a bed of lilies of the valley, saying: "Sister, when I die I want to be buried under those lilies." "My darling," exclaimed her mother, startled by the earnest manner of the child, "don't talk of dying, what would I ever do without my little daughter. Oh, no, my precious, our Lord will surely spare you to help me, besides you know, you are your father's guardian angel. I depend on your prayers, particularly for his conversion."
Lucy and Mr. Allen were anxious to be present at the ceremony on the fifteenth of August, but there was no hotel in the vicinity of the Convent and no train could be had from Midville at so early an hour.
Mother Gertrude said, Miss Lucy could come to the Convent, then she went to see one of her friends, a Mrs. O'Donnell, who lived a short walk from the Convent gate; this lady gladly offered to receive Mr. Allen for the night, so both father and aunt had the pleasure of being present at the ceremony in the morning.
The Feast of the Assumption was celebrated with unusual splendor at St. Imelda's. Five little girls renewed their First Communion, dressed in white and wearing wreaths and veils. Amy's costume was very plain, but spotlessly white and new; her mother did not approve of dressing children in finery for so sacred a function, lest thoughts of their outward appearance should divert their mind from the holy act they were about to perform.
Mr. Allen and kind Mrs. Donald were at the Chapel door just as the Angelus bell was ringing; they were ushered into a seat by one of the Sisters. At ten minutes of six the organ played a grand prelude and all the Sisters and children sang: "Jesus, My Love, is Mine Today."
It was a most impressive scene; the soft, solemn music, the devout attention of the children, even the little boys so still and respectful.
Mr. Allen had never before witnessed such devout Worship.
When the time came to approach the altar, Reverend Mother led the children to the communion rail, while the choir sang soft and low, "Come Into My Heart, Dear Jesus, Come."
Little Amy looked so white and seemed to tremble.