The Mother Superior gave an amused smile and Kitty was astonished at the mobile temperament which could so easily pass from mood to mood.
“There is no need to scrub the floors. That is done after a fashion by the orphans.” She paused and looked kindly at Kitty. “My dear child, do you not think that you have done enough in coming with your husband here? That is more than many wives would have had the courage to do, and for the rest how can you be better occupied than in giving him peace and comfort when he comes home to you after the day’s work? Believe me, he needs then all your love and all your consideration.”
Kitty could not easily meet the eyes which rested on her with a detached scrutiny and with an ironical kindliness.
“I have nothing whatever to do from morning till night,” said Kitty. “I feel that there is so much to be done that I cannot bear to think that I am idle. I don’t want to make a nuisance of myself, and I know that I have no claim either on your kindness or on your time, but I mean what I say and it would be a charity that you were doing me if you would let me be of some help to you.”
“You do not look very strong. When you did us the pleasure of coming to see us the day before yesterday it seemed to me that you were very pale. Sister St. Joseph thought that perhaps you were going to have a baby.”
“No, no,” cried Kitty, flushing to the roots of her hair.
The Mother Superior gave a little, silvery laugh.
“It is nothing to be ashamed of, my dear child, nor is there anything improbable in the supposition. How long have you been married?”
“I am pale because I am naturally pale, but I am very strong, and I promise you I am not afraid of work.”
Now the Superior was complete mistress of herself. She assumed unconsciously the air of authority which was habitual to her and she held Kitty in an appraising scrutiny. Kitty felt unaccountably nervous.
“Can you speak Chinese?”
“I’m afraid not,” answered Kitty.
“Ah, that is a pity. I could have put you in charge of the elder girls. It is very difficult just now, and I am afraid they will get—what do you call? Out of hand?” she concluded with a tentative sound.
“Could I not be of help to the Sisters in nursing? I am not at all afraid of the cholera. I could nurse the girls or the soldiers.”
The Mother Superior, unsmiling now, a reflective look on her face, shook her head.
“You do not know what the cholera is. It is a dreadful thing to see. The work in the infirmary is done by soldiers and we need a Sister only to supervise. And so far as the girls are concerned … no, no, I am sure your husband would not wish it; it is a terrible and frightening sight.”
“I should grow used to it.”
“No, it is out of the question. It is our business and our privilege to do such things, but there is no call for you to do so.”
“You make me feel very useless and very helpless. It seems incredible that there should be nothing that I can do.”
“Have you spoken to your husband of your wish?”
“Yes.”
The Mother Superior looked at her as though she were delving into the secrets of her heart, but when she saw Kitty’s anxious and appealing look she gave a smile.
“Of course you are a Protestant?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“It doesn’t matter. Dr. Watson, the missionary who died, was a Protestant and it made no difference. He was all that was most charming to us. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude.”
Now the flicker of a smile passed over Kitty’s face, but she did not say anything. The Mother Superior seemed to reflect. She rose to her feet.
“It is very good of you. I think I can find something for you to do. It is true that now Sister St. Francis has been taken from us, it is impossible for us to cope with the work. When will you be ready to start?”
“Now.”
“À la bonne heure. I am content to hear you say that.”
“I promise you I will do my best. I am very grateful to you for the opportunity that you are giving me.”
The Mother Superior opened the parlour door, but as she was going out she hesitated. Once more she gave Kitty a long, searching and sagacious look. Then she laid her hand gently on her arm.
“You know, my dear child, that one cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one’s soul.”
Kitty gave a little start, but the Mother Superior passed swiftly out.
XLIX
Kitty found the work a refreshment to her spirit. She went to the convent every morning soon after sunrise and did not return to the bungalow till the westering sun flooded the narrow river and its crowded junks with gold. The Mother Superior gave into her care the smaller children. Kitty’s mother had brought to London from her native Liverpool a practical sense of housewifery and Kitty, notwithstanding her air of frivolity, had always had certain gifts to which she referred only in bantering tones. Thus she could cook quite well and she sewed beautifully. When she disclosed this talent she was set to supervise the stitching and hemming of the younger girls. They knew a little French and every day she picked up a few words of Chinese
