_August 25._
WE have begun the general reformation which Mother Superior promised
us. I suppose, like other storms, it will clear the air when all is
done, but at present it raises a good deal of dust, and makes every
body uncomfortable.
Mother Gabrielle and Mother Gertrude still keep their old places, the
one as sacristine, the other as mistress of the novices and pupils.
But Sister Catherine is discharged of the care of the wardrobe, and
Sister Bridget, of all people, set in her place. Sister Bonaventure
takes Sister Bridget's place in the laundry, and Sister Mary Paula is
in charge of the kitchen, which I fancy she does not like over well,
though she says nothing. Sister Mary Agnes has the accounts, and
Sister Placida the alms. As to Sister Catherine, she is nowhere and
nobody, which I suppose will give her all the more time to meddle with
everybody. She has been in retreat for a week, and is still very mum
and keeps quiet. I have still charge of the library, to my great joy,
and Amice is by special favor appointed to help Mother Gabrielle in the
sacristy.
Our rules are to be more strictly enforced in future. No more exclusive
friendships are to be permitted. Silence is to be rigidly enforced,
and in short we are to turn over a new leaf entirely. A great deal of
needlework is to be put in hand directly, including new altar covers
for the shrine of Saint Ethelburga in the garden, for which her Grace
hath given very rich materials. Besides we are to make many garments
for the poor against winter.
A good many wry faces have been made over all these changes. For my
own part I like them well enough. I think people are always more
comfortable when each one knows his own place and his own work. Perhaps
I should feel differently if I had been put out of office, like Sister
Catherine, or set to work I did not like, as was Sister Mary Paula.
Poor Sister Catherine! She little thought how it was to end when she
used to talk about the enforcement of discipline. I must say, that as
far as the wardrobe goes, she had no right to complain, for she did
keep everything at sixes and sevens, so that two whole pieces of nice
black serge were spoiled by her negligence, and many of the spare
napkins were moulded through and through. I ventured to ask Mother
Gertrude how she thought Sister Bridget would succeed.
"Why, well enough, child," she answered. "Sister Bridget's mind is not
very bright, but she always gives the whole of it to whatever she does."
"I have noticed that," said I. "If she is folding a napkin, or ironing
an apron, you may ask her as many questions as you will, and you will
get no answer from her till she has done folding or ironing, as the
case may be."
"Just so; and she hath another good quality, in that she will take
advice. When she does not know what to do she will ask, which is to my
mind a greater argument of humility than any kissings of the floor, or
such like performances."
Amice and I do not see as much of each other as we used, but she is
always loving when we meet. She appears to me, somehow, very greatly
changed. At times she seems to have an almost heavenly calmness and
serenity in her face; at others she seems sad and anxious, but she is
always kind and gentle. She is much in prayer, and reads diligently in
the Psalter, which the Queen gave her. Sister Gabrielle has grown very
fond of her, though she was vexed at first that Amice was assigned to
her instead of myself; but she says Amice is so gentle and humble, so
anxious to please, and to improve herself in those points wherein she
is deficient, that she cannot but love the child. I have, at Amice's
own request, taught her all the lace and darning stitches I know, and
she practises them diligently, though she used to despise them. I am
teaching her to knit stockings, an art I learned of Mistress Patience,
and we mean to have a pair made for the Bishop against his next visit.
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