And bells already their chimes began,

For this was a sacred morn.

The Carmine church is near at hand,

And the sisters thither hied;

'T was there they had knelt in happy days

By the dear dead mother's side.

Then home, through the gay and festive street,

Till they reached the chamber bare:

The time had come for the morning meal,

And alas, no bread was there!

The elder girl on her sisters looked,

And her face grew white with pain.

Then said the one who was next in age,

"Let us ask the Lord again!"

So down they knelt on the red-tiled floor,

And the elder bowed her head,

And said aloud, while the others joined,

The prayer for their daily bread.

And then, with a tempest in her heart

That she could no more withstand,

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