Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/56

 the street for the old doctor who came in consultation over serious cases in the convent, and he arrived after some delay.

He entered the room cheerfully, with the evident conviction that there was nothing serious the matter with the youngster who seemed to be upsetting the quiet life of the cloister. But after one look his face grew grave. He set to work at once, with the assistance of Sister Rodriguez, giving hurried directions right and left. Then he glanced round the little circle of anxious faces and spoke.

"There are too many here," he said, brusquely. "You can do nothing, Sisters; take your rest, and we will remain with the child. Sister Rodriguez and I will do what is necessary, with the assistance of—well" he hesitated, glancing from one face to another—"Sister Philomene."

The Sisters looked round in surprise. They had not known she was there. But the austere nun came forward with the coolness and unruffled calm that, by contrast to the anxiety of her associates, had attracted the doctor's attention and decided his choice of an assistant. The others went out reluctantly, leaving the doctor, the convent infirmarian, and the Mistress of the Novices to do battle together for the life that had grown so dear to the sisterhood.