through obedience, I should consider myself highly favoured. I
think I should fulfill its duties with much affection, always
mindful of Our Lord's words: 'I was sick, and you visited Me.'[13]
The infirmary bell should be for you as heavenly music, and you
ought purposely to pass by the windows of the sick that it might
be easy for them to summon you. Consider yourself as a little
slave whom everyone has the right to command. Could you but see
the Angels who from the heights of Heaven watch your combats in
the arena! They are awaiting the end of the fight to crown you and
cover you with flowers. You know that we claim to rank as _little
Martyrs_ . . . . but we must win our palms.

"God does not despise these hidden struggles with ourselves, so
much richer in merit because they are unseen: 'The patient man is
better than the valiant, and he that ruleth his spirit than he
that taketh cities.'[14] Through our little acts of charity,
practised in the dark, as it were, we obtain the conversion of the
heathen, help the missionaries, and gain for them plentiful alms,
thus building both spiritual and material dwellings for Our
Eucharistic God."

* * * * * *

I had seen Mother Prioress showing, as I thought, more confidence
and affection to one of our Sisters than she extended to me.
Expecting to win sympathy, I told my trouble to Soeur Thérèse, and
great was my surprise when she put me the question: "Do you think
you love our Mother very much?" "Certainly! otherwise I should be
indifferent if others were preferred to me."