The children had no bread that day, for the Seminary loaf had not arrived.
What were they now to do?
The mother suffered cruel tortures in not being able to give her children bread, especially on the home-coming of her favourite scapegrace.
At last, after glancing at her left hand, she rose suddenly.

She exclaimed in a cheerful voice, "Wait patiently until my return." She put her Sunday kerchief on her head, and departed.

In a short time she returned, to the delight of the children, with a loaf of bread under her arm.

They laughed and sang, and prepared to enjoy their feast, though it was only of bread.

The mother apparently joined in their cheerfulness, though a sad pain gnawed at her heart.