Soon after my Mother’s death, Papa made up his mind to leave Alencon and live at Lisieux, so that we might be near our uncle, my Mother’s brother.  He made this sacrifice in order that my young sisters should have the benefit of their aunt’s guidance in their new life, and that she might act as a mother towards them.  I did not feel any grief at leaving my native town:  children love change and anything out of the common, and so I was pleased to come to Lisieux.  I remember the journey quite well, and our arrival in the evening at my uncle’s house, and I can still see my little cousins, Jeanne and Marie, waiting on the doorstep with my aunt.  How touching was the affection all these dear ones showed us!

The next day they took us to our new home, Les Buissonets,[2] situated in a quiet part of the town.  I was charmed with the house my Father had taken.  The large upper window from which there was an extensive view, the flower garden in front, and the kitchen garden at the back—­all these seemed delightfully new to my childish mind; and this happy home became the scene of many joys and of family gatherings which I can never forget.  Elsewhere, as I said before, I felt an exile, I cried and fretted for my Mother; but here my little heart expanded, and I smiled on life once more.

When I woke there were my sisters ready to caress me, and I said my prayers kneeling between them.  Then Pauline gave me my reading lesson, and I remember that “Heaven” was the first word I could read alone.  When lessons were over I went upstairs, where Papa was generally to be found, and how pleased I was when I had good marks to show.  Every afternoon I went out for a walk with him, and we paid a visit to the Blessed Sacrament in one or other of the Churches.  It was in this way that I first saw the Chapel of the Carmel:  “Look, little Queen,” Papa said to me, “behind that big grating there are holy nuns who are always praying to Almighty God.”  Little did I think that nine years later I should be amongst them, that in this blessed Carmel I should receive so many graces.

On returning home I learnt my lessons, and then spent the rest of the day playing in the garden near Papa.  I never cared for dolls, but one of my favourite amusements was making coloured mixtures with seeds and the bark of trees.  If the colours were pretty, I would promptly offer them to Papa in a little cup and entice him to taste them; then my dearest Father would leave his work and smilingly pretend to drink.  I was very fond of flowers, and amused myself by making little altars in holes which I happened to find in the middle of my garden wall.  When finished I would run and call Papa, and he seemed delighted with them.  I should never stop if I told you of the thousand and one incidents of this kind that I can remember.  How shall I make you understand the love that my Father lavished on his little Queen!