You know how strict the Prioress is that we
shouldn't exceed our regulation three minutes."
"I know that quite well," the little man answered abruptly; "a most
improper rule. But we'll not discuss the Prioress, Sister Winifred.
What have you come to tell me?"
"Well, in a way, it is about the Prioress. You know all about our
financial difficulties, and you know they are not settled yet."
"I thought that Sister Teresa's singing--"
"Of course, Sister Teresa's singing has done us a great deal of good,
but the collections have fallen off considerably; and, as for the
rich Catholics who were to pay off our debts, they are like the ships
coming from the East, but whose masts have not yet appeared above the
horizon."
"But does the Prioress still believe that these rich Catholics will
come to her aid?"
"Oh, yes, she believes; she tells us that we must pray, and that if
we pray they will come. Well, Father, prayer is very well, but we
must try to help ourselves, and we have been thinking it over; and,
in thinking it over, some of us have come to very practical
conclusions."
"You have come to the conclusion that perhaps a good deal of time is
wasted in this garden, which might be devoted to good works?"
"Yes, that has struck us, and we think the best way out of our
difficulties would be a school.
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