When evening came, and the children were about to return home, Alphonsus was nowhere to be found. They called for him, but to no avail. Then, as night was fast approaching, every one went out to search for him.

Again, the saintly lad surprised them all. This time, it was by kneeling before a picture of Our Lord's Crucifixion, which he had brought with him and fastened to a tree branch. Poor Jesus! He had already suffered so much for our sins! Someone should console Him, when so many continually and often thoughtlessly offend Him. As he knelt there, Alphonsus could not possibly realize how much joy and comfort he gave his dear Lord by his simple, but sincere, act of love and reparation.

He was so absorbed in his prayers that it was some time before he even became aware of the presence of his playmates.

That day, those boys surely learned more from their holy companion than simply how to win "the Game of Oranges."