“Yes, indeed, I will say that nobody is more opposed to it; but she is one of these women who, though she sees that something is wrong, will not go to the root of the wrong at once.  The tendency of her mind is towards the contemplative, and not towards the active orders, and she will not give way to the relaxation of the rule.  You had better just take the matter into your hands, feeling sure she will approve of the action in the end.  A word or two on the subject in your sermon on Sunday would be very timely.”

Father Daly promised to think the matter over, and Sister Winifred said: 

“But you must know we shall have much opposition?”

“But who will oppose us?”

“Those who have succeeded in getting counterparts will not surrender them easily.”  And Sister Winifred was persuaded to mention the names of the nuns incriminated in this traffic with the spirits of the children who had been drowned in Noah’s flood.

“Beings from the other world!” Father Daly cried, alarmed that not one of the nuns had spoken on this subject to him in the convent.  “This is the first time a nun has spoken to me—­”

“All will speak to you on this matter when you explain to them the danger they are incurring—­when you tell them in your sermon.  There is the bell; now I must fly.  I will tell you more when I come to confession this afternoon.”  As she went up the path she resolved to remain ten minutes in the confessional at least, for such a breach of the rule would challenge the Prioress’s spiritual authority, and in return for this Father Daly would use his influence with the Bishop to induce the Prioress to relax the rule of the community.  To make her disobedience more remarkable, she loitered before slipping into the confessional, and the Prioress, who had just come into the chapel, noticed her.  But without giving it another thought the Prioress began her prayers.  At the end of five minutes, however, she began to grow impatient, and at the end of ten minutes to feel that her authority had been set aside.

“You’ve been at least ten minutes in the confessional, Sister Winifred.”

“It is hard, indeed, dear Mother, if one isn’t allowed to confess in peace,” Sister Winifred answered.  And she tossed her head somewhat defiantly.

“All the hopes of my life are at an end,” the Prioress said to Mother Hilda.”  Every one is in rebellion against me; and this branch of our Order is about to disappear.  I feel sure the Bishop will decide against us, and what can we do with the school?  Sister Winifred will have to manage it herself.  I will resign.  It is hard indeed that this should happen after so many years of struggle; and, after redeeming the convent from its debts, to be divided in the end.”

XXXII

Next Sunday Father Daly took for his text, “And all nations shall turn and fear the Lord truly, and shall bury their idols” (Toby xiv. 6).