at crucifix on the
wall and below it, part of the woodwork, a little cup for
holy water. As soon as she entered the room Margarita
paused, and gave a sort of gasp--her hand, which I held
tight in mine, grew cold as ice. She moved over slowly to
the crucifix, with her eyes glued to it--she seemed utterly
unconscious of us, or where she was; she stood directly
under the crucifix, with Mary and me on either side of her
shaking with excitement, and then she put out her hand in a
wavering, unsteady way, like a blind person, dipped her
fingers in the empty bowl and began to cross herself! She
touched her forehead quickly, then moved her hand slowly
down her chest, fumbled toward one side, then drew a long
breath and stared at us, winking like a baby.

"I wish I had some food, Sue," she said, and actually yawned
and stretched her arms, like a plow-boy, in our faces. "I
think this room makes me hungry. Are you not hungry, Mary?"

Now, Jerry, what do you make of that? She cannot have seen a
crucifix, can she? Nor anyone crossing themselves? She acted
like a woman walking in her sleep. If I lived in Boston and
were interested in that sort of thing I could swear that she
had been a nun in her last incarnation!

Mary is, of course, much wrought up, and is going to set the
whole convent praying for her, I believe. I told Roger about
it, but you know what he is--it sounded rather silly as soon
as I had it begun. He pointed out that there were plenty of
chances for her to have seen the Sisters crossing themselves
before crucifixes, and other sensible explanations. But
really and truly, Jerry, I was with her every minute, and
she did what she had not seen done.

What do you think of it?

Yours always,

SUE PAYNTER.

PART FIVE

IN WHICH THE BROOK BECOMES A RIVER AND
FLOWS BY GREAT CITIES

Now sit thee down, my bride, and spin,
And fold thy hair more wifely yet,
The church hath purged our love from sin,
Now art thou joined to homely kin,
The salten sea thou must forget.

_Sir Hugh and the Mermaiden._

CHAPTER XVII

OUR PEARL BATHES IN SEINE WATER

BLEEKS, LITTLE ARCHES, SURREY,