I continued to regain my health slowly, and the Abbess said they would soon send me back to the nursery.  I could not endure the thought of this, for I had the greatest fear of the Abbess who had the charge of that department.  She was very cruel, while St. Bridget was as kind as she dare to be.  She knew full well that if she allowed herself to exhibit the least feeling of affection for those children, she would be instantly removed, and some one placed over them who would not give way to such weakness.  We all saw how it was, and loved her all the more for the severity of her reproofs when any one was near.  With tears, therefore, I begged to be allowed to stay with her; and when the priest came for me, she told him that she thought I had better remain with her till I gained a little more strength.

To this he consented, and I was very grateful indeed for the kindness.  Wishing in some way to express my gratitude, as soon as I was able I assisted in taking care of the other little girls as much as possible.  St. Bridget, in turn, taught me to read a little, so that I could learn my prayers when away from her.  She also gave me a few easy lessons in arithmetic, and instructed me to speak the Celt language.  She always spoke in that, or the French, which I could speak before, having learned it from the family where I lived after my father gave up his saloon.  They were French Catholics and spoke no other language.

As soon as I was sufficiently recovered to leave my room, I was taken to the chapel to be confirmed.  Before they came for me, the abbess told me what questions would be asked, and the answers I should be required to give.  She said they would ask me if I wished to see my father; if I should like to go back to the world, etc.  To these and similar questions she said I must give a negative answer.  “But,” said I, “that will be a falsehood, and I will not say so for any of them.”  “Hush, hush, child!” she exclaimed, with a frightened look.  “You must not talk so.  From my heart I pity you; but it will be better for you to answer as I tell you, for if you refuse they will punish you till you do.  Remember,” she added, emphatically, “remember what I say:  it will be better for you to do as I tell you.”  And she made me promise that I would.  “But why do they wish me to tell a lie?” I asked.  “They do not wish you to tell a lie,” she replied; “they wish you to do right, and feel right; to be contented and willing to forget the world.”  “But I do not wish to forget the world,” I said.  “I am not contented, and saying that I am will not make me feel so.  Is it right to tell a lie?” “It is right for you to obey,” she replied, with more severity in her tone than I ever heard before.  “Do you know,” she continued,” that it is a great sin for you to talk so?” “A sin!” I exclaimed, in astonishment; “why is it a sin?” “Because,” she replied, “you have no right to inquire why a command is given.  Whatever the church commands, we must