“Go to—Cov—what is that, my child? A city of England, is it not? We could not permit—”
Patricia hastened to explain.
“Sending a person to Coventry means—not speaking to her, not having anything to do with her. We—I—sent Maria to Coventry, and made all the other girls do it—except Honor! she wouldn’t! Now I will go myself, for a week. I will not speak to anybody, and nobody shall speak to me. Will that do, my Sister?”
“Oh, Patricia!” cried Honor and Maria in one breath. “You shall not! You must not!”
But Soeur Séraphine nodded approval.
“The idea,” she said, “appears to me admirable!”
CHAPTER XIV
THE STRANGE OLD LADY
Patricia performed her penance faithfully. At her request, Soeur Séraphine explained matters briefly to the girls next morning; so far, that is to say, as she considered explanation desirable. Patricia, she told them, had become convinced that she had been unjust to Maria, and had taken upon herself the punishment which she and they had inflicted upon that imprudent but well-meaning young person. For the space of a week, they would hold no communication with Patricia, nor she with them: Madame approving this entirely. After that time, their happy relations with one another would be resumed, and never again, the Sister trusted, would their clear horizon be clouded in such manner. The girls were to remark that a little folly, arousing the evil passions of our sinful nature, had brought about this sad state of affairs. Let them pray without ceasing for truth, courage and kindness, since these three formed the tripod on which humanity must stand. Dismissed!
As the girls left the classroom, Patricia, who was standing at the door, shook hands with each of them, as if taking leave. She did not speak, nor did any one dare speak to her. Her face was grave, but the scornful look was gone; the insolence of her beauty was veiled, as it were, by a thoughtful, almost a sorrowful look. She gave Honor a lovely smile; Honor’s arms were open in an instant to embrace her, but Patricia shook her head, and laid her finger on her lips.