A few minutes later, Margaret appeared at the door. She knelt down in the doorway, and made the sign of the cross, saying, “Peace eternal grant to us, O Lord!”
And we all responded, led by Mother Ada,—“Lord, grant to Thy servant our Sister everlasting peace!”
So then I knew that Mother Alianora had been sent for by the Master of us all.
“Sister Margaret!” said Mother Ada.
Margaret rose, went up to Mother Ada, and knelt again.
“How comes it thou art the messenger? I sent Sister Roberga to the Infirmary this morning.”
“Mother Gaillarde bade me go to the Infirmary,” said Margaret in a low voice, “and sent Sister Roberga down to the laundry.”
“Art thou speaking truth?” asked Mother Ada.
Margaret’s head went up proudly. “King Alfred the Truth-Teller was my forefather,” she said.
“Well! perhaps thou dost,” answered Mother Ada, as if unwilling to admit it. “But it is very strange. I shall speak to Sister Gaillarde.”