I continued to regain my health slowly, and the Abbess
said they would soon send me back to the nursery. I could
not endure the thought of this, for I had the greatest
fear of the Abbess who had the charge of that department.
She was very cruel, while St. Bridget was as kind as she
dare to be. She knew full well that if she allowed
herself to exhibit the least feeling of affection for
those children, she would be instantly removed, and some
one placed over them who would not give way to such
weakness. We all saw how it was, and loved her all the
more for the severity of her reproofs when any one was
near. With tears, therefore, I begged to be allowed to
stay with her; and when the priest came for me, she told
him that she thought I had better remain with her till
I gained a little more strength.

To this he consented, and I was very grateful indeed for
the kindness. Wishing in some way to express my gratitude,
as soon as I was able I assisted in taking care of the
other little girls as much as possible. St. Bridget, in
turn, taught me to read a little, so that I could learn
my prayers when away from her. She also gave me a few
easy lessons in arithmetic, and instructed me to speak
the Celt language. She always spoke in that, or the
French, which I could speak before, having learned it
from the family where I lived after my father gave up
his saloon. They were French Catholics and spoke no other
language.