“I know not,” answered the priest. And when the children asked the same question day by day, the old man wondered, and said, “Of what sort is he?”
“He is dressed in a white robe without seam, and it reacheth from his neck to his feet.”
“Whence cometh he?”
“He steppeth down to us, suddenly, as it were from the altar. And we ask him to share our food with us: and that he doth right willingly every morning.”
Then the priest wondered yet more, and he asked, “Are there marks by which I should know him, were I to see him?”
“Yes, father; he hath wounds in his hands and feet; and as we give him of our food, the blood flows forth and moistens the bread in his hands, till it blushes like a rose.”
And when the master heard this, a great awe fell upon him, and he was silent awhile. But at last he said gravely, “Oh, my sons, know that the Holy Child Jesus hath been with you. Now when He cometh again, say to Him, ‘Thou, O Lord, hast breakfasted with us full often, grant that we brothers and our dear master may sup with Thee.’”
And the children did as the priest bade them. The Child Jesus smiled sweetly, m they made the request, and replied, “Be it so; on Thursday next, the day of My ascension, ye shall sup with Me.”
So when Ascension Day arrived, the little ones came very early as usual, but they brought not their loaf, nor the tin of milk. And they assisted at mass as usual; they vested the priest, they lighted the tapers, they
