O'Neill your help in these preparations."
My head was down, and I did not see if the Reverend Mother bowed again.
But the two gentlemen, apparently satisfied with her silence, began to
talk of the best date for my removal, and just when I was quivering with
fear that without a word of protest I was to be taken away, the Reverend
Mother said:
"Monsignor!"
"Reverend Mother!"
"You are aware that this child"--here she patted my trembling hand--"has
been with me for ten years?"
"I am given to understand so."
"And that during that time she has only once been home?"
"I was not aware--but no doubt it is as you say."
"In short, that during the greater part of her life she has been left to
my undivided care?"
"You have been very good to her, very, and I'm sure her family are
extremely grateful."
"In that case, Monsignor, doesn't it seem to you that I am entitled to
know why she is being so suddenly taken away from me, and what is the
change in life which Mr. O'Neill referred to in his letter?"
The smile which had been playing upon the Bishop's face was smitten away
from it by that question, and he looked anxiously across at my father.
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