God's Crusade

Part Twenty-Seven

Hermione sat beside her grandmother's bed again, in one of her Meadvale outfits, all neatly arranged and positioned by Miss Scott, who remained on duty just outside the door. She was wearing her mittens and her muzzle, although that was hidden by her veils and mantle. She had calmed down, thanks to dear Miss Scott, and perhaps it was better that way, for her grandmother certainly, and she had not asked to be released, because it would have seemed so rude and impertinent, somehow, and would surely have caused some more offence. Miss Scott was really very kind to her, and it was so generous of Pastor Brown to provide her, the servants and the house for them all to be near her grandmother. And the hospital, it was just so much better than the other one. The room was sparkling clean, but the Sister's still came in every few hours to make it all gleam some more, and her beloved grandmother was given every possible consideration and care. Hermione really liked the White Sisters. She could not believe how comforting they were to everyone. Not a word was ever said between them, but a little nod of the head or a simple obeisance could speak volumes, and every single time she watched one of them tend to her grandmother her heart seemed to fill with their love. It was the magic of Meadvale, she had thought sometimes, when she had room in her head, or just a feeling of incredible peace.

She had not exactly enjoyed her first visit to Meadvale, with the Brown's, but it had been an experience. It was not at all like Reigate. She had found the discipline really hard, at least at first, but it was the same for everyone. It was like a school, in that sense. She was with Selena Brown, and they were maidens, just like anyone else. Everyone did the same things and that imposed a kind of normality on it all, and when she forgot about the boring details of her routine, her diapers and the sleeping gown, and the restrictions imposed on her so ruthlessly by Miss Donald, she found a level of harmony. She had never thought much about God before. She went to church, as most Americans did, certainly of her class, but it was a habit rather than an obsession, if that was the right word, a social nicety, just something that everyone did because it was there. It was not like that in Meadvale. It was not like that when she talked to Miss Scott, either. They had talked about her grandmother, and she took a lot of comfort in her grandmother's faith, comfort that she had never expected when they were all together in Reigate. Mrs Slade drifted in and out of consciousness, but she was better in the Meadvale hospital, as if the holiness of the place soothed her, and that morning when she had opened her eyes she saw Hermione as an angel, as if she had been suddenly transformed into a vision of perfection, a real sight for sore eyes. The joy her grandmother took from that sight would live with Hermione forever.

"Hermione? Is that you my darling?" It was only a whisper, clearly taking all her strength, but the vision nodded gracefully, and reached out with her mittens to hold the old lady's bony hand, so soft and gentle. "Oh darling...you look so perfect...if only my friends could see you now..."

۩

Carina had lost track of time. Meadvale Convent did not work to a weekly calendar. Each day was exactly the same as any other. At three in the morning the sisters were released from their sleeping gowns and hurried through the showers and driers. It was always a brutal experience. Carina learned not to look at anyone else. It wasted time, and even a hint of that would earn the cruel kiss of the switches. So, just as quickly as possible, they were covered and anonymous. Mittens and feeding tubes were fitted and they were marched off to prayer for the rest of the day. At four o'clock precisely, the tannoy system started to broadcast the day's services. It would not cease until seven o'clock that evening when the Sister's would return to their sleeping gowns and a little peace. Carina had not been unmuzzled or free of her mittens, apart from her ten minutes in the shower block, since she arrived. She was denied the blessing of any work to occupy her mind or stretch her stiff limbs. Every moment of her life was dedicated to atoning for her sins.