to tear because of their worn condition,
she insisted, rather sharply, on their being handled with care.
"What would you do," said Therese to the impatient one, "if it
were not your duty to mend these blankets? There would be no
thought of self in the matter, and if you did call attention to
the fact that they are easily torn, it would be done in quite an
impersonal way. In all your actions, you should avoid the least
trace of self-seeking."

* * * * * *

Seeing one of our Sisters very much fatigued, I said to Soeur
Therese: "It grieves me to see people suffer, especially those who
are holy." She instantly replied: "I do not feel as you do. Saints
who suffer never excite my pity. I know they have strength to bear
their sufferings, and that through them they are giving great
glory to God. But I compassionate greatly those who are not
Saints, and who do not know how to profit by suffering. They
indeed awake my pity. I would strain every nerve to help and
comfort them."

* * * * * *

"Were I to live longer, it is the office of Infirmarian that would
most please me. I would not ask for it, but were it imposed
through obedience, I should consider myself highly favoured. I
think I should fulfill its duties with much affection, always
mindful of Our Lord's words: 'I was sick, and you visited Me.'[13]
The infirmary bell should be for you as heavenly music, and you
ought purposely to pass by the windows of the sick that it might
be easy for them to summon you. Consider yourself as a little
slave whom everyone has the right to command. Could you but see
the Angels who from the heights of Heaven watch your combats in
the arena! They are awaiting the end of the fight to crown you and
cover you with flowers. You know that we claim to rank as _little
Martyrs_ . . . . but we must win our palms.

"God does not despise these hidden struggles with ourselves, so
much richer in merit because they are unseen: 'The patient man is
better than the valiant, and he that ruleth his spirit than he
that taketh cities.'[14] Through our little acts of charity,
practised in the dark, as it were, we obtain the conversion of the
heathen, help the missionaries, and gain for them plentiful alms,
thus building both spiritual and material dwellings for Our
Eucharistic God."

* * * * * *

I had seen Mother Prioress showing, as I thought, more confidence
and affection to one of our Sisters than she extended to me.
Ex