Mary Olivier: A Life · Book III · Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18 5

A three-cornered note on her dressing-table at bedtime:

My dear Mary: Our talk was not satisfactory. Unless you can assure me by tomorrow morning that you believe in the Blessed Trinity and all the other truths of our most holy religion, I fear that, much as we love you, we dare not keep you with us, for your schoolfellows’ sake.

Think it over, my dear child, and let me know. Pray to God tonight to change your heart and mind and give you His Holy Spirit.

The Trinity. A three-cornered note.

My dear Miss Lambert: I am very sorry; but it really isn’t any good, and if it was it couldn’t be done in the time. You wouldn’t like it if I told you lies, would you? That’s why I can’t join in the prayers and say the Creed and bow; in Church or anywhere. Rose made me promise not to talk about it, and I won’t.

If you must send me away tomorrow morning, you must. But I’m glad you love me. I was afraid you didn’t.

Tomorrow the clothes were put back again in their drawers. She wasn’t going. Miss Lambert said something about Rose and Lucy and “kindness to poor Clara.”