Sister Teresa

as entering upon, and which was dearer to her than anything else. She grew a little frightened at the hardness of her heart. "It certainly does harden one's heart," s

ithout, however, being able to feel certain that it interested her as much as it used to, or that she was not prepared to sacrifice it if her purpose demanded the sacrifice. But there was no question of such sacrifice: it was given to her a

t strike which had just ended; there was talk of another strike; moreover her week in Glasgow was

ramatic singing to il bel canto? In a few years nobody wil

Birmingham were tried, but only with moderate success, and Evelyn returned to Lo

pointment to m

ht us a great deal of money,

to bring you three thousand pounds, and

eems to have thou

oor o

his? Ah! Sist

me in, de

tain

to see Miss Innes, to hea

t all, Sister Mary John.

a suc

ad not occurred to her before, but now the thought passed through her mind, formulating itself in this way: "After all, the mummeress isn't dead in me yet; bringin

can read them when I am gone. A little more money and a litt

ds. Poor things! they come in from the common; our garden is full of them. But what about sing

lenty of time to

n. It was the porter

arrived and would l

ore

e is a friend of yours, Monsign

ur hundred pounds with six concerts. My career as a

isn't tired of you,"

she has brought us

uns would be interested to hear of the music-and to excuse myself. But you know, Mother, once I take a project in hand I don't give it up easily. I have made up my mind to redeem this convent from debt, and it shall be done. My concert tour was a

thought you intended

it. That is a point on which I will have to talk to

a good one I congratulate you, Mother Prioress, on your c

es of those who went to Palestine to fight for t

't said a wo

, won't you? For I must have your

appear," said Sister Mary John

ked me to g

like to come with us. The garden is beautiful and whit

and Monsignor wen

ry John, pointing to the yellow horizon. "To-night or to-morro

read, only stopping now and then to chase away the arrogant sparrows. The robin, the wisest bird, came to Sister Mary John's hand for his food, preferring the buttered bread to the dry. There were rooks in the grey sky, and very soon two hovered over the garden, eventually descending into the garden with wings slanted, and then the seagulls had to leave off fighting or go without food altogether. A great strange bird rose out of the bushes, and flew away in slow, heavy flight. Monsignor thought it was a woodcock; and there were birds whose names no one knew, migrating birds come

n I said that I would have to consult

cussed in the presence of the nuns. Your motives I appreciate; I need hardly say that. But

remain on the stage and

t such a thing isn't possible;

ing at the prelate, biting her lips,

I was speaking then of the stage as

ent, but the temptati

is in oneself, not in the stage, and when oneself

the Church, it is tru

amen

t it was a long time before he could persuade h

hild, my d

, and she told how, at Thornton Grange, in the middle of t

or, their prayers would sa

e whether you were

er, who told me next morning that he had thou

hat he, too,

aid that he had heard voices, only t

ed not have been

want to come to see m

sig

must tell everything to me; and it is my duty to tell you that you place too much reliance up

acles? Moreover, nearly all the saints are credited with having performed mira

God, and the prayers they have offered up that God's wrath may be averted

in the New Testaments. Surely miracles cannot have ceased with the nineteenth centur

n to-morrow, in this garden, at any moment. Nobody questions the power of God to perform a miracle, only we mustn't be too credulous,

culty in believing that the sins I committed with Owen

I doubt very much that you are

se, and you have told me yourself that to acquiesce is sufficient. You don't mi

your difficulties to me. I regret that, notwithstanding my opinion, you still beli

, Monsignor, I wouldn't go to America. Obedienc

ay; you must relieve this convent fro

or I should have liked to

profit by my advice

ckbirds and thrushes, sparrows and starlings, accepting her crumbs without fear, no stranger being by. The starli

little bird he is! Look at him, Monsignor! isn't h

ery quickly. But look," continued Sister Mary John, "I have two bullfinches following me. Aren't they provoking birds? They don't build in

e birds, thinking of other things, and then turn

n't stop out talking in this garden any l

you should retu

I have acted wrongly by going. The nuns will pray for me, and I believe in their pr

ined upon this

ise. There is nothi

cal point of view. The nuns want money, it is true; but they want it at once.

r, the Priore

money in your own way-in the wa

in my life." And they turned out of St. Peter's Walk, feeli

are doing this entire

to help the nuns. Everybody wants to do som

e done a g

g from the Catholic point of view, or from the religious point of view, if you like. Will you recomme

the money that the sale of your picture

I know I must appear to you very wilful, but there

itor, a very capable and trustworthy ma

; and be sure nothing

ix months I s

solicitor Monsignor recommended, and th