I dressed as quickly as possible, and hastened down to the Superior.  As I passed through the hall, I thought I would be very careful to step softly, but in my haste I forgot what she said about closing the door, and it came together with a loud crash.  On entering the room, I found the Superior waiting for me; in her hand she held a stick about a foot long, to the end of which was attached nine leather strings, some twelve or fifteen inches long, and about the size of a man’s little finger.  She bade me come to her, in a voice so cold and stern it sent a thrill of terror through my frame, and I trembled with the apprehension of some impending evil.  I had no idea that she was about to punish me, for I was not aware that I had done anything to deserve it; but her looks frightened me, and I feared,—­I know not what.  She took hold of my arm, and without saying a word, gave me ten or twelve strokes over the head and shoulders with this miniature cat-o’-nine-tails.  Truly, with her, it was “a word and a blow, and the blow came first.”  Wherever the strings chanced to fall upon the bare flesh, they raised the skin, as though a hot iron had been applied to it.  In some places they took off the skin entirely, and left the flesh raw, and quivering with the stinging pain.  I could not think at first what I had done to deserve this severe punishment, nor did she condescend to enlighten me.  But when I began to cry, and beg to go to my father, she sternly bade me stop crying at once, for I could not go to my father.  I must stay there, she said, and learn to remember all her commands and obey then.  She then taught me the following verse: 

   I am a little nun,
   The sisters I will mind;
   When I am pretty and learn,
   Then they will use me kind. 
   I must not be so noisy
   When I go about the house,
   I’ll close the doors so softly
   They’ll think I am a mouse.

This verse I repeated until I could say it correctly.  I was then taken to the breakfast-room, where I was directed to kneel before the crucifix, and say my prayers, which I repeated after the Superior.  I was then seated at the table, and directed to hold my head down, and fix my eyes upon my plate.  I must not look at any one, or gaze about the room; but sit still, and quietly eat what was given me.  I had upon my plate, one thin slice of wheat bread, a bit of potato, and a very small cup of milk.  This was my stated allowance, and I could have no more, however hungry I might be.  The same quantity was given me every meal, when in usual health, until I was ten years of age.  On fast days, no food whatever was allowed; and we always fasted for three meals before receiving the sacrament.  This ceremony was observed every third day, therefore we were obliged to fast about one-third of the time.  Yet, however long the fast might be, my allowance of food was never increased.

After breakfast the Superior took me to Priest Dow for confession.  He kept me with him all day, allowing me neither food nor drink; nor did he permit me to break my fast until four o’clock the next day.  I then received what they call the sacrament, for the first time.