the way,
Where bells kept tinkling while the train delayed:
At Amiens ten minutes quite they stayed.

Dennis bought chocolate to make a feast--
They had _three_ dinners in the train, at least.
At Rouen here they are at last, though late--
The bedroom clock there shows 'tis after eight!

Mabel looks tired--she lies back in her chair
Beside the wood fire burning brightly there.
Rose says--"Good-night!"--to Bertie fast asleep,
While her own eyes can scarcely open keep.

Next morning, through the quaint old streets of Rouen
They went to see the old church of Saint Ouen,
With eager feet, and chatting as they walked,
About the ancient Town, together talked.

[Illustration]

EGLISE de ST . OEUN

Said Dennis, first,
"This city bold
Belonged to us
In days of old."
Said Nellie, "Here
Prince Arthur wept--
By cruel John
A prisoner kept.
Here Joan of Arc
Was tried and burned,
When fickle fate
Against her turned."
Said Rose, "Oh dear!
It makes me sad
To think what trouble
People had
Who lived once in
This very town,
Where we walk gaily
Up and down."

[Illustration]

Now they have come into the entrance wide
Of great St. Ouen's Church; see, side by side,
Dennis and Nellie going on before:
The others watch yon beggar at the door--
Poor blind Pierre; he always waits just so,
Listening for those who come and those who go.
He tells his beads, and hopes all day that some
May think of him, 'mongst those who chance to come.
Though he can't see, he is so quick to hear,
He knows a long, long time ere one draws near,
And shakes the coppers in his well-worn tin--
"Click, click," it goes--see, Bertie's gift drops in.
'Tis his _one_ sou that Bertie gives away--
It might have bought him sweets this very day.
When through St. Ouen's Church they'd been at last,
Along its aisles and down its transept passed,
They went to the Cathedral, there to see
The tomb of Rolf, first Duke of Normandy.
But Mabel said, "Why should we _English_ care
About that Rolf they say was buried there?"
Then she ran on, not waiting for reply--
My little reader, can _you_ tell her why?

[Illustration]

ROUEN

RUE DE L'EPICERIE

The Cathedral was cold,
With its dim solemn aisles,
But outside our friends found
The sun waiting, with smiles,
To show them their way,
So hither they came
Along