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Awful Disclosures - Containing, Also, Many Incidents Never before Published by Maria Monk
page 73 of 340 (21%)
such, and such, and such things. To perform so difficult a task well, was
considered a difficult duty, and it was one of the most certain ways to
gain the favour of the Superior. Whoever volunteered to make a story on
the spot, was sent immediately to tell it, and the other nuns present
were hurried off with her under strict injunctions to uphold her in
every thing she might state. The Superior, as there was every reason to
believe, on all such occasions, when she did not herself appear,
hastened to the apartment adjoining that in which the nuns were going,
there to listen through the thin partition, to hear whether all
performed their parts aright. It was not uncommon for her to go rather
further, when she wanted time to give such explanations as she could
have desired. She would then enter abruptly, ask, "Who can tell a good
story this morning?" and hurry us off without a moment's delay, to do
our best at a venture, without waiting for instructions. It would be
curious, could a stranger from "the wicked world" outside the Convent
witness such a scene. One of the nuns, who felt in a favourable humour
to undertake the proposed task, would step promptly forward, and signify
her readiness in the usual way: by a knowing wink of one eye, and slight
toss of the head.

"Well go and do the best you can," the superior would say; "and all the
rest of you must mind and swear to it." The latter part of the order, at
least, was always performed; for in every such case, all the nuns
present appeared as unanimous witnesses of everything that was uttered
by the spokesman of the day.

We were constantly hearing it repeated, that we must never again look
upon ourselves as our own; but must remember, that we were solemnly and
irrevocably devoted to God. Whatever was required of us, we were called
upon to yield under the most solemn considerations. I cannot speak on
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