**I fell rather a fool writing down my thoughts , but this evening, Sister Catherine made the very firm suggestion that i start keeping a dairy and handed me a brand new pad from the supply cupboard for that very purpose. She says that everything has change for me now, and I will be disappointed later if I do not keep a written record. Failing that, she assured me the** ***she*** **would be disappointed. In all honesty, I so prefer to guard my privacy that I do not think I would accept such a directive from anyone else, but my fondness for her is such that it seem only proper to follow her advice. In any case, there is no question but that today was nothing if not eventful . One moment, my life was mundane; mere hours later, the whole world seemed new and different.

It was mid-morning, and I was in** **the midst of a clumsy declamation —" ' Tyger! Tyger! burning brigth/ In the forests of the nigth ' "—when I was summoned to sister Mary Gregoria's office. I went great uneasiness, as I had been somewhat unruly at breakfast, and would now almost certainly have to serve my penance in the form of . . . . chores

"Margaret Anne!" Sister Mary Gregoria said, her voice surely as loud as Bow bells. She waved a piece of paper at me, and them pointed at the chair where she wanted me to sit. I have been known to post a solemn note here and there in the common rooms, proposing peculiar new policies, and scrawling a facsimile of Sister Mary Gregoria's signature below, but this sheet did not look familiar. It would be a shame to be punished for the offence of another — and yet, truth be told, probably not altogether undeserved.

the Sister Catherine bustled in, murmuring an apology for her tardiness. Obviously, she and I are close, so I sensed tjat whatever punishment I was getting this time would not to be severe.

When I first came here, some five years ago, I do not think I spoke at all for several months. It was a dark and unhappy time, and I rarely ate or slept throught the night. I was assigned, as my regular task, to assist Sister Catherine in the library. During those early days , I felt shy around the jolly, stout woman in the sweeping black habit, but soon I grew to depend on her kindnesses. When I felt most alone, she would always be there with a smile, a book she thought I might enjoy, and a hot cup of sweet , milky tea. Now, that small, book - cluttered room is the one place in the world that feels like home to me. Sister Catherine is very wise, and has guided my studies far beyond my basic classwork, with the hope that I migth even attend university one day. Other that my brother, William, I believe she is my favourite person.

" ' Margaret Ann, ' '' Sister Gregoria said again, once sister catherine had settled herself upon a flimsy wooden chair. '' I am told that it is your wish to go into service**. ''