Life of St John Vianney.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

"""""HIS PENANCES. 117Catherine s journal contains an amusing account ofone of these skirmishes between Soeur Lacou and her incorrigible pastor :She had made a beautiful pie for M. le Cure, which,when baked to perfection, she took out of the oven, andhid in an old cupboard in the presbytery kitchen, thinkingit would be sure to be safe in that deserted corner of thehouse. She impatiently awaited M. Vianneys return inthe evening ; and as soon as she heard him come in, shesaid to him in the most insinuating tone in the world,M. le Cure, will you have a little piece of pie ?itCertainly, replied he, immediately; I should likevery much.Delighted with so unusual an acquiescence, she flewto her hiding-place, when, alas, no pie was to be found !What could have become of it ? Had M. le Cure foundit out, and given it to some poor man ? This was reallytoo much.She went up-stairs in great indignation.M. le Cure, this is too bad.My pie was my own ;I did not giveit to you.*Why did you put it in the presbytery, then ? replied he, very quietly. I conclude that what I find inmy house is my own, and that I have a right to disposeof it.Poor Mdlle. Lacon, as Catherine tells us, had taken agreat deal of trouble to give M. Vianney this surprise ;and was the more to be pitied, as she was upwards ofseventy, had one leg shorter than the other, and had greatdifficulty in moving about, on account of her rheumatism."M. le Cure, however," adds she, only did it to tryher ; for he knew that she was a good soul, and that themore sacrifices he led her to make, the more would sheidvance In the waysof God."