Chapter 114

When Careen drew back, her face bore her best smile but after a glance at Scarlett, she turned back and shot a long gaze down the passage. Scarlett followed her gaze and saw that Suellen was looking at two young nuns, just like herself, who seemed to be standing together in nervous anticipation. They both grinned at Careen and one of them nodded as if encouraging Careen to speak to Scarlett. Careen beamed at them and then turned back.

None of this feminine intimacy was lost on Scarlett. She knew it was a feeling, the warmest of feelings that existed between women who have decided vehemently to support one another despite circumstances and she envied Careen of it. The look of dismay at being forced into a vulnerable situation such as this must have been evident on her face for Careen was now looking at her with concern.

"What's the matter, Sis? You looked so sad just now-"

Scarlett gathered her composure and grinned, "I am not upset. What a ridiculous notion. Why ever should I upset upon seeing my little sister after so many years. But must we stand at this hallway talking- Isn't there any place we could sit down and have a nice long chat?"

Scarlett's eyes kept fluttering unwillingly to the two ladies who waited down the hallway. Careen smiled at this and looped her arm through Scarlett's. "Darling Sis, I've been waiting and waiting to introduce you to my best friends who have been so kind and loving to me, all these years- This is Sister Clarice Thompson and Sister Mary Catherine Andrew. Sisters, this is my eldest sister, Mrs. Scarlett Butler. "

Careen pressed her fingers into her grip on Scarlett's arm and Scarlett wondered for a moment why it should be so. Then she noticed that Careen was a little breathless from excitement and Scarlett's feelings suddenly softened towards her delicate baby sister.

"Well, there's a little tea room down the next hall. It's a little musty there because we hardly have visitors but it will do. It's more comfortable than my own room. Come this way, Scarlett-"

Scarlett found herself in a rather gloomily lighted room. What furniture was there was scanty and looked severely traditional and uninviting. There was a large window that showed the view of the empty yard outside. On the walls, there hung old, extremely detailed yet small paintings and engravings of various saints and scenes of biblical importance.

They sat together around a circular table which was covered with a snow white tea cloth. Upon the table sat a pot of coffee and a plate of biscuits. A young girl who evidently ran errands around the convent, served the tea while Sister Mary passed around the plate. Careen kept casting glances towards Scarlett, as if she hoped that Scarlett would be the one to open up and begin friendly conversation. But Scarlett hardly knew what to say. She hardly knew what was expected of her and half suspected if she would be laughed at by these sisters clad in black.

"My goodness, you would have to wear black all the time here, wouldn't you? I can't imagine how you got used to it." began Scarlett. "I once had to wear black for several months and I thought it would be the death of me-"

Careen looked at Sister Clarice who immediately replied with that sweet Melanie-like thoughtfulness that yes, black was an unimaginative , dreary color but it symbolized a death to the world with all its earthly desires which was a beautiful sentiment for a young nun. Then Sister Clarice went on to hint that Careen had told her of the death of Scarlett's first husband and spoke with so much sympathy that Scarlett wished heartily that the woman would simply disappear.

They fell into a silence after that with Scarlett hardly speaking a word. Careen also sat very still , sometimes nodding to the expectant nudges from her two friends but she did not begin any conversation. Scarlett silently fumed within wondering why she was subjected to this torture of having to talk to her baby sister in the presence of these queer women. She wished Careen would work up the gumption to tell them to leave. But as she sat there sipping her tea, her eyes wandered to the window where the view had somehow changed to a dreary scene. Puffs of smoke seemed to be pouring in from the right and Scarlett frowned. She shivered a little for it reminded her of her oft-repeated nightmare.

"Do I have to sit here and talk to my own sister in front of these two queer women?!" wondered Scarlett in puzzlement. Unwillingly her eyes went to the window again. She suddenly demanded curtly about the smoke clouds lingering outside and Careen immediately looked out and commented that perhaps somebody was burning some old leaves or papers just outside the convent walls. Scarlett shivered once again at how desolate the scene outside remained.

Careen noticed her strained expression and began with some concern, "What's the matter, Scarlett? If the smoke bothers you so much perhaps we shouldn't have come here- Would you rather come up to my room? Sister Clarice and Sister Mary have their duties at the chapel so we shan't be in anyone's way if we go up to talk-"

"Oh, yes- I think that would be all right-" said Scarlett, in relief.

Careen's room turned out to be dingier than the room downstairs and Careen had left Scarlett in the room to fetch a gas-lamp. But she had been gone a while now and Scarlett grew more impatient and anxious as she waited alone in the room. She walked to the window and once again felt a deep dark unknown settling down on her. Were her nightmares going to invade her day times too? Suddenly a tiredness fell over her and she wiped some tears from her eyes.

"Mrs. Butler, Your Sister has her daily prayer at this time and the excitement of seeing you her made her forget- I'm afraid she will return only after- What is it? Are you crying?" Are you ill?"

Scarlett jumped at the voice and turned to see the Head Mother scrutinizing her with a shrewd eye.