The Argosy — page 32: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 The Master of Greylands. Grey Sisters. Sister Ann—whose week it was to help in the domestic work and to go on errands—was a short, fair, cheerful little body, as fond of talking as Mrs. Bent herself. She was dressed entirely in grey. A grey stuff gown of a convenient length for walking, that is, just touching the ankles, a grey cloth cloak reaching down nearly as far ; and a round grey straw bonnet with a white net border close to the face. When the ladies took possession of the Grey Nunnery, and con- stituted themselves a Sisterhood, they had assumed this attire. It was neat, suitable, and becoming ; and not of a nature to attract particular attention when only one or two of them were seen abroad together. From the dress, however, had arisen the appellation applied to them— the Grey Ladies. In summer weather the stuff used was of a lighter texture. The stockings worn by Sister Ann were grey, the shoes stout, and fastened with a steel buckle. The only difference made by the superior sisters was, that the material of their gowns and cloaks was finer and softer. ‘‘ Lack-a-day ! these shnmps will never get done!” cried Mrs. Bent, under her breath. ‘“ How d’ye do, Sister Ann?” she said aloud, her tones less sharp, out of respect to the Order. ‘‘ You look as blue as bad news. I hope there’s no fresh sickness, or accident.” “Tt’s the east wind,” replied Sister Ann. ‘Coming round that beach corner, it seizes hold of one. I’ve such a pain here with it,” touching her chest, “ that I can hardly draw my breath.” “Cramps,” said Mrs. Bent,, shortly. ‘“ John,” she added, turning sharply on her husband, “‘ you’d better get Sister Ann a spoonful or two of the cordial, instead of sitting to roast your face at that fire till it’s the colour of red pepper.” “Not for worlds,” interposed Sister Ann, really meaning it. But John, at the hospitable suggestion, had moved away. ‘‘T have come over to ask if you'll be good enough to let me have a small pot of currant jelly, Mrs. Bent,” continued the Grey Sister. ‘It is for Sister Mildred, poor thing——” ‘Is she no better ?” interrupted Mrs. Bent. “Nota bit. And her lips are so parched, poor lady, and her deaf- ness 1s sO worrying 7 ‘Oh, as to her deafness, ‘Aa?’// never be better,” cried Mrs. Bent. “ Worse, as she grows older.” ‘¢Tt can’t be much worse than it 1s,” returned Sister Ann, who seemed slightly to resent the fact of the deafness. ‘We have had a good bit of sickness in the village, and our black jelly ts all gone: not that we nade much, being so poor. If you will let me buy a pot from you, Mrs. Bent, we shail be glad.” For answer, Mrs. Bent left her shrimps, unlocked a corner cup- board, and put two small pots of jelly into the Sister's hand. ‘T am not sure that I can afford both to-day,” said Siste r Ann. (GO) dubiously. “ How much are they?”