of my situation most keenly. Yet I saw very clearly that
there was but one course for me to pursue, and that was,
to obey in all things; to have no will of my own, and
thus, if possible, escape punishment. But it was hard,
very hard for me to bring my mind to this. I had been
the idolized child of affection too long to submit readily
and patiently to the privations I was now forced to
endure. Hitherto my will had been law. I had naturally
an imperious, violent temper, which I had never been
taught to govern. Instead of this, my appetites were
pampered, my passions indulged, and every desire gratified
as far as possible. Until that last sad parting, I hardly
knew what it was to have a request refused; and now, to
experience such a change--such a sudden transition from
the most liberal indulgence to the most cruel and rigorous
self-denial--Oh, it was a severe trial to my independent
spirit to submit to it. Yet, submit I must, for I had
learned, even then, that my newly appointed guardians
were not to be trifled with. Henceforth, OBEDIENCE must
be my motto. To every command, however cruel and unjust,
I must yield a blind, passive, and unquestioning obedience.

I dressed as quickly as possible, and hastened down to
the Superior. As I passed through the hall, I thought I
would be very careful to step softly, but in my haste I
forgot what she said about closing the door, and it came
together with a loud crash. On entering the room, I found
the Superior waiting for me; in her hand she held a stick
about a foot long, to the end of which was attached nine
leather strings, some twelve or fifteen inches long, and