I could not but feel that my companion had something important
to say to me, for she was evidently a good deal agitated. She stepped a
little in front of me, and then turned and faced me.
"There is no place to sit down here," she said, "but I'm not tired, are
you?"
I assured her that I was not, and would as soon talk standing as
sitting.
"Now, then," she began, "tell me about yourself. What have you been
doing? What are your plans?"
"My plans!" I cried. "Of what importance are my plans and actions? I
thought you wished to speak to me of Sylvia."
She smiled. "There is really nothing to say about that young person, of
whom, by the way, you should not speak as 'Sylvia.' She is now a full
member of the sisterhood, and has accepted the name of 'Sister Hagar.'
We found that the other sisters would not like it if an exception were
made in her favor, in regard to her name."
"'Hagar!'" I groaned. "Horrible!"
"Oh, no," replied Mother Anastasia, "there is nothing horrible about it.
'Hagar' is a little harsh, perhaps, but one soon gets used to that sort
of thing."
"I can never get used to it," I said.
"My dear Mr. Vanderley," said the Mother Superior, speaking very
earnestly, but with a gentleness that was almost affectionate, "I wish I
could impress upon your mind that there is no need of your getting used
to the name of our young sister, or of your liking it or disliking it.
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