I was taken, with the other four girls, to a room on the second floor.  Here we found five cribs, one for each of us, in which we slept.  Our food was brought to us regularly, consisting of one thin slice of fine wheat bread for each of us, and a small cup of milk.  It was only in the morning, however, that the milk was allowed us, and for dinner and supper we had a slice of bread and a cup of water.  This was not half enough to satisfy our hunger; but we could have no more.  For myself I can say that I was hungry all the time, and I know the others were also; but we could not say so to each other.  We were in that room together five weeks, yet not one word passed between us.  We did sometimes smile, or shake our heads, or make some little sign, though even this was prohibited, but we never ventured to speak.  We were forbidden to do so, on pain of severe punishment; and I believe we were watched all the time, and kept there, for a trial of our obedience.  We were employed in peeling a soft kind of wood for beds, and filling the ticks with it.  We were directed to make our own beds, keep our room in the most perfect order, and all our work in the middle of the floor.  The Superior came up every morning to see that we were thoroughly washed, and every Saturday she was very particular to have our clothes and bed linen all changed.  As every convenience was provided in our rooms or the closets adjoining, we were not obliged to go out for anything, and for five weeks I did not go out of that room.

My bed was then brought from Quebec, and we were moved to a large square room, with four beds in it, only two of which were occupied.  We were then sent to the kitchen, where in future, we were to be employed in cleaning sauce, scouring knives and forks, and such work as we were able to do.  As we grew older, our tasks were increased with our strength.  I had no regular employment, but was called upon to do any of the drudgery that was to be done about the house.  The Superior came to the kitchen every morning after prayers and told us what to do through the day.  Then, in her presence we were allowed five minutes conversation, a priest also being present.  For the rest of the day we kept a profound silence, not a word being spoken by any of us unless in answer to a question from some of our superiors.

In one part of the building there was a school for young ladies, who were instructed in the various branches of education usually taught in Catholic schools.  Many of the scholars boarded at the nunnery, and all the cooking and washing was done in the kitchen.  We also did the cooking for the saloons in Montreal.  If this did not keep us employed, there were corn brooms and brushes to make, and thus every moment was fully occupied.  Not a moment of leisure, no rest, no recreation, but hard labor, and the still more laborious religious exercises, filled up the time.  It was sometimes very annoying to me to devote so many hours to mere external forms; for I