“And lo! with a summons sonorous
Sounded the bell from its tower,
And over the meadows a drum beat,
Thronged erelong was the church with men.”
In time, this little building is to house books, documents, and household articles of the French Acadians.
Halfway down the meadow, opposite the chapel, stands a bronze statue of an idealized Evangeline.
“This is the work of Henri Hebert,” said Mrs. Bond, “one of Canada’s foremost sculptors, and a direct descendant of the Grand Pré French.”
They all felt very serious as they gazed up at the rather sad figure, looking backward upon the land she loved so dearly; and then strolled down toward the row of willows which lined the street of Grand Pré. They then followed a narrow, winding stream to a pond upon which floated ducks among the lily pads.
“Do you suppose they’d let me pet them?” said Nancy, leaning down to touch one which seemed tamer than the rest.
“Be careful—” began Jeanette, just as Nan’s foot slipped on the grass, and she slid, headfirst, into the water, creating great consternation among the inhabitants of the pool, as well as among the spectators.
Nancy was a funny looking creature as she stepped from the pond, and Martha was once more overcome with laughter.
“You got the third fall, Nan,” she cried; “now I’ll have to lose the third pocketbook.”
“Don’t count on that!” retorted Nancy.