"You sew very well, my dear.
It is a rare accomplishment for young women of your world nowadays."
"I owe it to my mother."
"I am sure that your mother will be very glad to see you again."
Kitty looked up.
There was that in the Mother Superior's manner which prevented the remark from being taken as a casual politeness.
She went on.
"I allowed you to come here after the death of your dear husband because I thought occupation would distract your mind.
I did not think you were fit at that moment to take the long journey to Hong Kong by yourself, nor did I wish you to sit alone in your house with nothing to do but to remember your loss.
But now eight days have passed.
It is time for you to go."
"I don't want to go, Mother.
I want to stay here."
"There is nothing for you to stay for.
You came to be with your husband.
Your husband is dead.
You are in a condition in which you will shortly need a care and attention which it is impossible for you to get here.
It is your duty, my dear child, to do everything in your power for the welfare of the being that God has entrusted to your care." Kitty was silent for a moment.
She looked down.
"I was under the impression that I was of some use here.
It has been a great pleasure to me to think that I was.
I hoped that you would allow me to go on with my work till the epidemic had come to an end."
"We are all very grateful for what you have done for us," answered the Superior, with a slight smile, "but now that the epidemic is waning the risk of coming here is not so great and I am expecting two sisters from Canton.
They should be here very shortly and when they arrive I do not think that I shall be able to make any use of your services."
Kitty's heart sank.
The Mother Superior's tone admitted of no reply; she knew her well enough to know that she would be insensible to entreaty.
That she found it necessary to reason with Kitty had brought into her voice a note, if hardly of irritation, at least of the peremptoriness* which might lead to it.
"Mr. Waddington was good enough to ask my advice."
"I wish he could have minded his own business," interrupted Kitty.
"If he hadn't I should all the same have felt obliged to give it him," said the Mother Superior gently. "At the present moment your place is not here, but with your mother.
Mr. Waddington has arranged with Colonel Y #252; to give you a strong escort so that you will be perfectly safe on the journey, and he has arranged for bearers and coolies.
The amah will go with you and arrangements will be made at the cities you pass through.
In fact, everything possible for your comfort has been done."
Kitty's lips tightened.
She thought that they might at least have consulted her in a matter which only concerned herself.
She had to exercise some self-control in order not to answer sharply.
"And when am I to start?"
The Mother Superior remained quite placid.
"The sooner you can get back to Hong Kong and then sail to England the better, my dear child.
We thought you would like to start at dawn the day after to-morrow."
"So soon."
Kitty felt a little inclined to cry.
But it was true enough; she had no place there.
"You all seem in a great hurry to be rid of me," she said ruefully.
Kitty was conscious of a relaxation in the Superior's demeanour.
She saw that Kitty was prepared to yield and unconsciously she assumed a more gracious tone.
Kitty's sense of humour was acute and her eyes twinkled as she reflected that even the saints liked to have their own way.
"Don't think that I fail to appreciate the goodness of your heart, my dear child, and the admirable charity which makes you unwilling to abandon your self-imposed duties."
Kitty stared straight in front of her. She faintly shrugged her shoulders.
She knew that she could ascribe to herself no such exalted virtues.