During Mass, I heard a strange bell of a distinct tone. Letting my imagination run, I associated it with the Chrism rites later in the day, imagining that the bell was to be sounded when the oils were received in the manner of the French coronation oils.
One must allow the mind to run like this, while reserving belief. Vailhinger. The what if. Cf. the film They Might Be Giants, starring George C. Scott and Joanne Woodward.
As it turns out, it was the grizzled, venerable fellow who sometimes sounds the bell while pacing Fifth avenue, wearing holy icons like a sandwich board. He was standing up outside the entrance of the cathedral, sounding his bell and apparently blessing it with the cross in his hand. I uncovered as I passed and made the sign of the cross, hoping he wouldn't notice that I was doing it the wrong way.