Chapter 113
Scarlett and Rosemary set off by mid-day in their carriage with the former brooding over the prospect of seeing her youngest sister again. "Poor Careen- I forgot all about her in this nasty business with Rhett" thought Scarlett, gloomily. "She is probably thin and pale, wearing that awful nunnery shroud and muttering prayers all day! What an awful occupation! How had they ever allowed Careen to drift off to a convent of all places!"
The horses trotted to a halt and Scarlett glanced with displeasure at the high grey-walled convent building, newly reconstructed after the ruins of war and looking rather like a serious, brooding place amidst the friendly coastal sights.
"Come, Scarlett-" called Rosemary, drawing Scarlett's arm into hers. They walked past the gates which were quickly locked again by a nun and were ushered in to see the Head Mother. They waited for nearly an hour in a dingly little cabin that made for the Head Mother's room and after the creaking yawn of the door, a tall looming figure dressed in black , appeared.
"Ah! Miss Butler and Mrs. Butler- how good of you to come by to see Sister Careen O'Hara- No need to stand. Please do sit down-"
Scarlett smiled eagerly, both in awe of the Mother Superior's dignified demenour and fear that perhaps she was already giving offense in some way in this hallowed place.
"Well, Mrs. Butler, I am very happy to finally meet you. Sister Careen spoke little of her family when she first came here. But she spoke a little more about you. I gather from all the information she gave me that you rallied the family together and saved your plantation-"
Scarlett opened her mouth to reply when the Head Mother continued,
"No need to be so modest, Mrs. Butler. Here you will find very little encouragement for false pretenses. The war sent many evils upon this part of the world and now that we have somehow survived, we must hold our heads high and be thankful for God's infinite mercy-"
The Head Mother hesitated and then said with some delicacy- "Before you speak to your sister, Mrs. Butler - I wish to say a few things. Pardon me, but I see from your attire that you are woman of expensive taste. Perhaps upon seeing your sister, you might become upset and easily dismiss her wanting appearance-"
Scarlett started in her chair. She leaned forward and prepared to get up. "Sister Careen isn't sick..or or.."
"No- No! My dear, you need not worry-" reassured the Head Mother in surprise and distress at Scarlett's obvious panic. "Your sister is very well taken care of here- When Sister Careen O'Hara first came to us, we saw that she had been very much affected by the war. Her face was so serious and yet somehow detached from the world around her- Her inexperience with suffering had perhaps given her an idea that such seriousness was piety. We reached out to her and when you see her, you will find that she is not so detached as before. But that isn't to say that all is well- I only ask you to be more kind to her-"
"I have always been kind to Careen-" stated Scarlett, her fears beginning to get the best of her. She regarded the Head Mother with suspicion. Had they all starved her sister? Why all this secrecy and delicacy- Was Careen ill?!
"I am not accusing you, Mrs. Butler. I am merely saying that any lack of encouragement from you might silence your Sister on that painful things she might disclose to you- Now that she is more aware of herself -"
Rosemary nodded but Scarlett stared in bewilderment.
The Head Mother took a deep breath and she seemed to grow more gentle and benevolent. "What I mean is, do not promise to bring your Sister fine clothes, fine food or anything that might excite her earthly desires. And if she should speak of doing work around the convent, even sweeping or washing clothes or doing any kind of service for the needy, please do not reprimand her or pity her. And if she should speak of her beau, listen to her, but remind her that her life is still before her to be fully lived and cherished- That is all that I ask from you."
Scarlett nodded lightly and the Head Mother lead them to the main corridors of the convent. At the end of the passage, Scarlett's eyes fell on Careen and she embraced her.