While Sister Eloise continued to minister to their patient laid out on the reverend mother’s bed, Reverend Mother herself was hurrying back to the chapel. Sister Danielle was still there with the children, though she now had them sitting on chairs listening while she read them a Bible story. Marthe had Margot on her knee and was rocking her gently as the child’s head drooped against her shoulder in sleep. “I think it’s time for the children to go back and have their supper now, Sister,” Mother Marie-Pierre said, “and while they are having it, perhaps you’d come to my office. I need a word with you.” “Yes, Mother, of course,” replied the nun. “I’ll be there directly.” She led her charges out of the chapel and closed the door behind them. Mother Marie-Pierre slipped onto her knees in front of the altar. “Oh Lord,” she prayed, “help me to get these children to safety, away from the horrors and dangers of this war.” She stayed in the chapel for another five minutes, allowing the peaceful silence to have its familiar, calming effect, and when she rose to return to her office to speak to Sister Danielle, she knew that she had drawn strength from her five minutes alone with her God.
