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           Severallargefigtreesshadedapartofthespaciousgrounds,andbehindtheschoolthelandslopedawayalittletoagrassycircleeuphemisticallychristened"thecricketpitch,"fromthechiefactivitythatwentoninthatarea.

           Ignoringmuffledsniggersfromthelined-upchildren,BobandhisbrothersstoodperfectlystillwhilethepupilsmarchedinsidetothesoundofSisterCatherineplunking"FaithofOurFathers"onthetinnyschoolpiano.OnlywhenthelastchildhaddisappeareddidSisterAgathabreakherrigidpose;heavysergeskirtsswishingthegravelasideimperiously,shestrodetowheretheClearyswaited.

           Meggiegapedather,neverhavingseenanunbefore.Thesightwastrulyextraordinary;threedabsofperson,whichwereSisterAgatha’sfaceandhands,therestwhitestarchedwimpleandbibglaringagainstlayersofblackestblack,withamassiveropeofwoodenrosarybeadsdanglingfromanironringthatjoinedtheendsofawideleatherbeltaroundSisterAgatha’sstoutmiddle.SisterAgatha’sskinwaspermanentlyred,fromtoomuchcleanlinessandthepressureoftheknifelikeedgesofthewimpleframingthefrontcenterofherheadintosomethingtoodisembodiedtobecalledaface;littlehairssproutedintuftsalloverherchin,whichthewimpleruthlesslysquasheddouble.