'But, my dear Mary, once a woman has taken the black veil ... it is the same thing, you know.'
'Not quite, otherwise there would be no meaning in the delay.'
'You don't mean to say that you're thinking of leaving the convent, Mary?'
'Not exactly, but it is very hard on me, Oliver. I was thinking of writing to you, but I hoped that you would come to see us. You have been a long time now without coming.'
'Well, Mary—'
'Eliza loves ruling everybody, and just because I am her sister she is harder on me than anyone else. Only the other day she was furious with me because I stopped at confession a few minutes longer than usual. "I think," she said, "you might spare Father Higgins your silly scruples." Now, how is one to stop in a convent if one's own sister interferes in one's confessions?'
'Well, Mary, what are you thinking of doing?'
'There are some French nuns who have just come over and want to open a school, and are looking for Irish subjects. I was thinking they'd like to have me. You see, I wouldn't have to go through the novitiate again, for they want an experienced person to teach them English and to mind the school for them. It is really a mistake to be under one's own sister.'
At that moment the door opened and Eliza came in, apologizing for having kept her brother so long waiting.
'You see, my dear Oliver, I've had two mothers here this morning, and you know what parents are. I suppose Mary has told you about our difficulties. Now, do you mean to say that you have found a person who will suit us?... It is really very kind of you.'