At the words a memory of long ago stirred in Magda’s mind. She remembered that when her father had beaten her as a child he had said: “If you hurt people enough you can stop them from committing sin.”
Groping dimly for some light that might elucidate the problems which bewildered her, Magda clutched at the words as though they were a revelation. They seemed to point to the only way by which she might repair the past.
Catherine, watching closely the changes on the pale, sensitive face, spoke again.
“Of course, if you feel you have not the strength of will to keep your vow, you must not take it.”
The words acted like a spur. Instantly, Magda’s decision was taken.
“If I take the vow, I shall have strength of mind to keep it,” she said.
The following evening Magda composedly informed Gillian that she proposed to take a vow of expiation and retire into the community of the Sisters of Penitence for a year. Gillian was frankly aghast; she had never dreamed of any such upshot to the whole miserable business of Magda’s broken engagement.
“But it is madness!” she protested. “You would hate it!”
Magda nodded.
“That’s just it. I’ve done what I liked all my life. And you know what the result has been! Now I propose to do what I don’t like for a year.”