Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/250

 but how it fits!—how well it fits! She is going through some experience, take my word for it; something we know nothing about."

Sister Philomene returned a week from the day she had left. Her father had passed away, but one look at her face made Sister Cuthbert feel that her mission had been successful. There was no time for conversation between the two on the subjects so near to both. Sister Cuthbert made her verbal report with her usual sweet conciseness, and, though Sister Philomene felt the subtle change in her, she could ask no questions. The afternoon of her return the portress brought Sister Philomene a message and a card. The card read:

The message, conscientiously delivered by the little portress, was rather a lengthy one. The gentleman, she said, was the physician of Sister Cuthbert's family. Sister Cuthbert's mother had died a week ago, and the doctor wished to tell the young nun of her affliction and give her some details concerning the last hours of her mother's life. He had not made the journey for that purpose; professional business had brought him to the city near the