Lady Crenshaw and I caught up with Bess and Mrs. Whitaker-Bunyan just as the panel in the door was sliding open. The nun's familiar gray eyes peered out, darting from one to the other of the four of us in quick succession.
Then snapping back to fix on me. And linger there as my heart thundered at the prospect of being found out.
Just then, Bess cleared her throat and spoke. "We've come for the ceremony, Sister. May we enter?"
The nun's eyes held mine a moment longer, then shifted to Bess. "Has someone told you that patience is a sin?"
Bess shook her head. "I hadn't heard that, Sister."
"Because it is a virtue," said the nun, and then the panel in the door snapped shut. "You'd do well to practice it."
For a moment, I feared she might not admit us...but the door lock cracked ope
