Lisieux
I experienced no regret whatsoever at leaving Alençon; children are fond of change, and it was with pleasure that I came to Lisieux.33 I recall the trip, our arrival at Aunt’s home; and I can still picture Jeanne and Marie waiting for us at the door. I was very fortunate in having such nice little cousins. I loved them very much, as also Aunt and especially Uncle; however, he frightened me, and I wasn’t as much at ease in his home as I was at Les Buissonnets,34 for there my life was truly happy.
33. On November 15, 1877, M. Martin decided to live at Lisieux in order to bring his daughters in closer contact with his wife’s family. M. and Mme. Guérin had two children: Jeanne, who was nine, and Marie, seven. M. Guérin owned a pharmacy at Place St. Pierre.
34. Histoire d’une Ame states: “The next day, November 16, we were brought to our new home, Les Buissonnets, which was situated in a quiet section next to a park named ‘Jardin de l’Étoile.’ The house appeared very charming to me: a belvédère from which a view extended far into the distance, an English garden in front, and a large vegetable garden in the rear of the house, all this was a new joy to my young imagination. In fact, this smiling habitation became the theatre of many sweet joys and unforgettable family scenes. Elsewhere, as I said above, I was an exile, I wept, I felt no longer had a mother! There, my heart expanded and I smiled once more at life.”