"
"Indeed, I do, Mother. I know it isn't so."
"When are you going to leave us?"
"Well, nothing is decided. Every day I expect to hear from my father,
and if he wishes--"
"But if he doesn't require you? By remaining with us you may find you
have a vocation. Other women have persevered and discovered in the
end--" The Prioress's face changed expression, and Evelyn began to
think that perhaps the Prioress had discovered a vocation in
herself, after long waiting, and though she had become Prioress
discovered too late that perhaps she had been mistaken. "You have no
intention of joining the Order?"
"You mean to become a novice and then to become a nun and live here
with you?"
"You need say no more."
"But you don't think I have deceived you, Mother?"
"No, I don't blame anybody, only a hope has gone. Besides, I at
least, Evelyn, shall be very sorry to part with you, sorry for many
reasons which I may not tell you... in the convent we don't talk of
our past life." And Evelyn wondered what the Prioress alluded to.
"Has she a past like mine? What is her story?"
The canaries began singing, and they sang so loudly the women could
hardly hear themselves speak.
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