Easter Lilies [pp. 444-445]

EASTER LIL!ES
BY LUITA B0OTll
T WAS the day before Easter. In the dren! Why, where did you come from?"
fields the eschscholtzias were out. The little sister stepped backward and
Thousands of them. They held their golden coughed. All through the rainy season
cups to the sun and caught the shine. It she usually had a cough. The water in her
seemed as if all the world might come and shoes went: "Sst-sst." There were four
pick their fill of sunshine and go in peace. black marks on the carpet where she and
The nemophilas were thick in the grass. the little brother had stood. Another pretty
Their round baby eyes stared back at the young lady came up.
sky in innocent blueness. Down deep in "Why, what do you want?"
the cool, green canons the creeks were say- "Nothing!" said the little brother.
ing: "llush, hush!" "Did you ever see such children? Look
Along the streets in the town wandered at those holes! Some artist ought to pose
the little sister and the little brother. It you two."
had rained the night before and the puddles The little sister coughed.
were deep and muddy. The little sister's "Well, well, if you can't talk, run along.
shoes had holes in them and the water got We must get through," said the other. "I
in and went: "Sst-sst," when she stepped. have the altar to fix yet. llere, take these
Wherever the corner seemed easiest to and go."
turn, there they turned. The dirty slums She handed to the little sister half a
were far behind them. Presently they dozen stemless lilies, which were scattered
passed a florist's wagon drawn up to the about. The little sister smiled her thanks;
curbstone, It was loaded full of Saint but the little brother pointed his red, raw
Joseph's lilies in pots. Each pot was looking little hand, with its black finger
wrapped in silver-foil. The sweetness of nails, towards a lily in a pot. It was taller
the lilies filled the street. than the little brother.
They watched the florist and his assist- "0 my, no! I could n't give you that,"
ant carry pot after pot up the steps of a said the young lady. "That would spoil
big church. The sweetness of the lilies the decorations for tomorrow. Tomorrow
held the children spellbound. As the last is Easter. You know what Easter is, don't
pot disappeared into the church, they you?"
climbed the steps and followed after.The little brother looked stolidly back at
Inside some ladies were decorating for her, but said nothing.
the morrow. They had placed the lilies so "It`5 eggs," whispered the little sister;
as to line the aisles. "eggs in the candy shops, you know."
The little brother and the little sister "It`5 eggs," said the little brother aloud.
talked softly to themselves. Some moments The young lady laughed out merrily and
passed before anyone saw them. Then one sweetly.
of the pretty young ladies noticed them "0, you absurd child! Why, no, it is n't.
and called out: "What picturesque chil- Jesus died yesterday, you know, and tomor
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