The slightest joys were very great in our estimation. Who, in these days of fast travel, would consider the coming of a vistor as a special occurrence? We, however, treasured these unexpected visits, particularly from members of our own community. So, one Wedneday evening after school we were delightfully surprised to greet the Superior of South Rustico Convent and her companion together with their kind Pastor who had brought the Sisters over for our mutual joy. It was 3:40 and time for lunch. But where to set this lunch? Our after school snacks were always a two-minute snatched-time period, eaten anywhere we could find a private spot. But, today it had to be different. There were roughwood card- tables in the auditorium so we carried one to the stage. Having covered it with two spotless pillows cases we were proud as queens that we really had a ‘fitting’ place for our guests.
Now, what to serve? The only thing we had was what we had brought back with us from their convent on the previous Sunday. On this occasion, however, it looked different somehow, and I believe that no feast—day dinner ever tasted more delicious than that little snack partaken of with our dear Sisters whose unexpected arrival brought us so much true joy.
Already four months had gone by and now we looked forward to the Christmas holidays which we were to spend at Notre Dame Academy, Charlot- tetown. Travelling on bad roads was nothing new to us, but we were a little skep- _ tical when it was decided that the Christmas school-concert would be held on the night of December 23rd, not before! Visions of spending Christmas far from our Sisters were not comforting. However, as we gathered in the auditorium the weather looked good, and as the concert proceeded we had no time to worry about such extraneous things as our comfort. The dear children did their utmost to entertain their proud parents and we, too, were proud of them. It was close to ten o’clock when we left the hall in high spirits. But when we came to the door, back rushed the unwanted visions of Christmas outside the convent.
A real, old-fashioned blizzard had come up within the last hour. Our faith must not wane! The dear God, who had shown such love and care for us during the past four months, was Lord of the elements and we trusted Him to bring us safely to Notre Dame. His good and faithful agent, the taxi-driver, was at the rectory next morning at nine o’clock. He had come early although we had only seven miles to travel to meet the 11:30 train at Hunter River. The sun was shining brightly to match the joy in our hearts in going “home”. The roads were next to impassible and it is a question if anyone but Mr. John James Gallant would have dared to take a car out. Our most kind and dauntless driver had to keep opening the car door to see where he was going since the snow was higher than the windshield. Having progressed all of three miles in one hour he realiz- ed that we could go no further by car. Unknown to us Mr. Gallant had asked another man to follow him with a horse and sleigh just in case the car couldn’t make it to the station.
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