Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/50

 But Frederick's conduct made this course impossible. It was not that he cried; if he had they might have summoned strength to leave him. He did not cry. His air was one of pathetic surprise at desertion, mingled with a beautiful submission and an abnormal wakefulness. He lay in the dim room, talking softly to himself, or making a queer humming sound which he seemed to think was pleasingly musical. Occasionally he sat up, and the anxious watchers outside, their ranks constantly augmented by others as anxious, heard a scramble, or the sound of a falling toy or pillow.

Once the thump was so very loud that prompt investigation was made, and the fat body of Frederick was discovered reposing on the floor. He had fallen out of his crib, but he showed no bitterness over the incident. After the baby had been rocked and crooned over for five or ten minutes he was off to the Land of Nod.

This solution of the problem was so simple and so humane that he was thereupon rocked, and there was a spirited rivalry as to who should perform the kindly service. Every nun volunteered but one—Sister Philomene. She was observed to shun the company of Frederick Addison.

Sister Philomene was not sentimental. She was absolutely just, but very cold, and a