Hagar swam to it and mounted the stone, arms raised, ripe young breasts and hips dyed scarlet as the sun dipped lower. Petroc — it was Petroc, she saw — reached the rock and clung to it, head back, childish laughter changing to something else. Something pagan and primitive. Then the moment fled and he gripped her ankles and tumbled her into the water again, the two shapes becoming one as the silver of the pool became darker and was rayed by one beam from the climbing moon.
In complete silence the two nuns turned and walked back to the car, Sister Joan’s face dyed with colour. She craved palette and brush and canvas — anything to capture and hold that unearthly loveliness. She also craved oblivion. Of all the companions she might have had then Sister Margaret was the most unsuitable. Sister Margaret had been so innocent and yet she had brought her here. If brandy were needed she rather feared the lay sister would be the one in need of it.
‘So wicked,’ Sister Margaret said, fumbling with the controls of the car once they were safely belted in.
‘Perhaps not wicked,’ Sister Joan said desperately.
‘It is a strong word, Sister, and perhaps I am wrong to use it,’ Sister Margaret said, ‘but I do feel quite strongly — of course the poor old lady is very likely touched in the head. But how one could so twist the playfulness of those two children — well, words fail me.’
At that moment words also failed Sister Joan. She could only sit staring at her fellow nun’s indignant profile as the car leapt forwards.
‘You didn’t think—?’ she said at last.
‘Oh, they are not without blame,’ Sister Margaret said, bumping over the gorse. ‘The boy was supposed to stay with his cousins while Padraic saw to his poor wife. The habit of strong drink is a curse, Sister. How thankful we must be that we are not afflicted.’
‘Yes indeed,’ Sister Joan said automatically.
‘The problem is that she is quite well educated,’ Sister Margaret said. ‘Padraic is proud of that. He sets great store by education, but there are other things required if one is to be a good wife and mother. On the other hand she has much to try her, poor soul. The law can be quite harsh on men like Padraic and his brother. I do hope they won’t catch cold. Not exactly a warm night for swimming.’
‘And without bathing suits,’ Sister Joan said dryly.
‘It reminded me of Eden,’ Sister Margaret said wistfully. ‘Sometimes I wonder what it was like to be there — before the serpent came. Such joy, don’t you think? All the garden to play in, and all nature at one’s command. And the Father to come for a chat in the cool of the evening. Something wonderful to look forward to every day. Do you want to visit any of the other parents this evening, Sister? The light is almost gone but it would be quite an adventure to drive in the dark.’
‘I thought we might have another little expedition tomorrow,’ Sister Joan said.
‘Oh, splendid! After Father Malone has heard our confessions? I must clear my conscience before I venture forth again.’
‘What of?’ Sister Joan asked in astonishment.
‘My dear, have you forgotten that I broke the grand silence?’ There was sorrowful reproach in the other’s voice. ‘Mother Dorothy was so kind about it, even suggesting that I accompany you on this round of visits. One feels like a good stiff penance to redress the balance, don’t you think?’
‘I suppose.’ Sister Joan felt shame rising.
‘And we must both pray for poor old Hagar Boswell. So sad to lose one’s wits and see evil where there is only innocence.’
Sister Joan nodded silently. Her conscience — that over-active conscience about which Jacob had so often teased her — was nagging her again. Spiritual pride, she thought uneasily, was probably her besetting sin. She had been so certain that Sister Margaret would be shocked by the unselfconscious nudity, so sure that innocence was generally paired with a narrow mind. Narrow minds were usually dirty minds. She blamed herself for having forgotten that simple fact.
‘Anybody for the brandy?’ Sister Perpetua greeted them jokingly as they got out of the car at the back door.
‘Everything went very well,’ Sister Margaret said happily. ‘You know I believe I am really getting the hang of this driving business. I may ask leave to try out the car in the middle of town very soon.’
‘May the saints preserve Bodmin,’ Sister Perpetua said fervently.
‘I made a start on supper, Sister.’ Sister Teresa came to the door. ‘It won’t be as tasty as it usually is, but I thought you might be tired after the driving.’
‘Now that is thoughtful of you, Sister.’ Sister Margaret beamed. ‘What a lovely treat, to make a pleasant visit and then come home to find one’s work done for you. Really, this has been quite a day. And we were given a very stimulating mug of tea too. People are very kind.’
Some of them are, Sister Joan thought, standing stock still. But not all of them, Sister. We have been in the presence of evil tonight and I don’t know its source. Not in the old woman or in
