304 The Francis A. Drexel Family 
Father. There is a disappointing silence in the Journals 
and letters extant on this event. And yet this audience is 
that of the oft-quoted, and oft-misquoted, anecdote of 
the Pope's reply to Kate's request he send missionaries 
to the Indians in the Northwest, "Why not be a mission­ 
ary yourself ?" 
In a letter dated Rome, January 30th, Kate tells Miss 
Cassidy briefly of this audience: 
All accounts of our sweet audience (27th instant) in the Throne 
Room at the feet of Our Holy Father, and also today's great 
privilege of assisting at His Holiness' own Mass followed by a 
little audience—all this, I say, must be crowded out by the business 
to be answered in your last two letters: Did you feel the blessing 
of the Holy Father sent by him to all our own and friends, when 
he answered our prayer by a nod from his head and a gracious 
"Tout! tout! est accorde!" To business! presto! . . . 
Love from Miss Carrere. Caro has gone to Naples for a six 
day visit. We have all enjoyed Rome together and all (both 
friends and we) have pulled most lovingly, amiably and amicably 
together. 
The feast of the Purification they attended, bearing 
lighted tapers, the procession in St. Peter's, and, Louise 
adds in her own inimitable way, "drop around at Masses." 
On February 7th adieu to St. Peter's. On February 8th 
they left Rome facing toward la belle France. At Pisa 
they beheld the Leaning Tower by moonlight—a bewitch­ 
ing scene. The Cathedral with its silver dome, its pulpit 
supported on a lion's back, its exquisite carving, Roman 
mosaic, bronze doors, and quaint baptistry, where angels 
hold Our Lord's garments while He is baptized by John, 
intrigued them into a day longer than originally planned. 
A letter from Kate written en route from Monte Luco 
to St. Sulpice Lauriere gives us glimpses of Jack Frost's 
artistry along the way: