Summary

A first-person narrator describes their father as a baby in a baby carriage pushed by Mrs. Tierney (also known as Elizabeth Tierney). The sisters suggest that Annie live in Elizabeth Tierney and her husband Michael's house with their boys and twin girls in a crowded home. Annie and Sally visit the Little Nursing Sisters' convent every morning for some peace. Sister St. Saviour, before dying, had arranged that enough funds are secured to pay Annie a salary working for them. The Ladies of Auxiliary who also work in the convent, take care of impoverished young widows and other women. Every week, Annie helps the sisters clean and wash and iron the convent linen and habits. Sister Illuminata carves shapes of dogs and ducks out of soap for Sally to play with. Sister Illuminata teaches Annie to clean precisely and fastidiously. At times, Sister...