She came on her horse, with the boy Fridtjof, to offer us
bread from the castle kitchen if we would agree to teach her the secret of
such handiwork. And when we said that for the sake of bread to lighten the
evil days we would comply with her in the matter, she laughed with pleasure,
and her laughter was as grateful to the ear as the chime of matin bells. I can
see her again as she sat above us in her saddle, laughing: her long hair blew
about her, and the red blood glowed in her cheeks, and her eyes were like
pools that the sun is shining on--" Suddenly the Sister's voice broke, and she
hid her face in her hands.
The old nun regarded her compassionately. Hers had been a long hard life, and
she was very near the mountain-top from whose summit the mystery of the
valleys is revealed.
After a time she spoke with tender reverence: "Almighty Father, who hast given
us strength to endure our own trials without murmuring, grant us also the
grace to accept patiently the chastening of those we love."
The bowed head of Sister Wynfreda sank lower, and slowly the heaving of her
breast was stilled. In the chapel four feeble old voices raised a chant that
trembled and shook like a quivering heart-string.
"I beseech thee now,
Lord of Heaven,
And pray to thee,
Best of human-born,
That thou pity me,
Mighty Lord!
And aid me,
Father Almighty,
That I thy will
May perform
Before from this frail life
I depart.
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