one finds that one has not a vocation. But that happens
sometimes. I don't think that it will be Catherine's case. And now, Mr.
Phelan, I must ask you to excuse me," and the Reverend Mother persuaded
the unwilling peasant into the passage, and he followed the lay-sister
down the passage to the gate and got into his cart again.

"No wonder," he thought, "they don't want to let Catherine out, now
that they have got that great farm, and not one among them, I'll be
bound, who can manage it except Catherine."

At the very same moment the same thoughts passed through the Reverend
Mother's mind. She had not left the parlour yet, and stood thinking how
she should manage if Catherine were to leave them. "Why," she asked,
"should he choose to leave Maynooth at such a time? It is indeed
unfortunate. There is nothing," she reflected, "that gives a woman so
much strength as to receive the veil. She always feels stronger after
her clothing. She feels that the world is behind her."

The Reverend Mother reflected that perhaps it would be better for
Catherine's sake and for Peter's sake--indeed, for everyone's sake--if
she were not to tell Catherine of Pat Phelan's visit until after the
clothing. She might tell Catherine three months hence. The disadvantage
of this would be that Catherine might hear that Peter had left
Maynooth. In a country place news of this kind cannot be kept out of a
convent. And if Catherine were going to leave, it were better that she
should leave them now than leave them six months hence, after her
clothing.

"There are many ways of looking at it," the Reverend Mother reflected.
"If I don't tell her, she may never hear it. I might tell her later
when she has taught one of the nuns how to manage the farm." She took
two steps towards the door and stopped to think again, and she was
thinking when a knock came to the door. She answered mechanically,
"Come in," and Catherine wondered at the Reverend Mother's astonishment.

"I wish to speak to you, dear mother," she said timidly. But seeing the
Reverend Mother's face change expression, she said, "Perhaps another
time will suit you better."

The Reverend Mother stood looking at her, irresolute; and Catherine,
who had never seen the Reverend Mother irresolute before, wondered what
was passing in her mind.

"I know you are busy, dear mother, but what I have come to tell you
won't take very long."

"Well, then, tell it to me, my child."

"It is only this, Reve