The Religious Body by Catherine Aird Page B

predecessor might have been told by Sister Anne. I do not think,” she added gently, “that it would have concerned us in any way.”
    â€œYes,” interrupted Sister Gertrude unexpectedly. “Yes, it would, Mother.”
    Suddenly finding herself the object of every eye in the Parlor, Sister Gertrude blushed and lowered her head.
    â€œPray explain, Sister.”
    â€œThis potential that you are talking about was some money that Sister Anne was to come into, wasn’t it?”
    Sloan nodded.
    â€œWell, she knew about it. She told Sister Damien that the Convent would have it one day and then we could have our cloister.”
    There was silence.
    Sister Gertrude looked from Inspector Sloan to Father Benedict MacAuley and back again. “I don’t know if there would have been enough for a cloister or not,” she said nervously, “but Sister Damien thought so, and so did Sister Anne.”
    â€œI think,” said the Mother Prioress heavily, “that we had better see Sister Damien and Sister Michael now.”
    Sister Damien came first. Tall, thin and stiff-looking even in the soft folds of her habit, she swept the assembled company with a swift look and bowed to the Mother Prioress.
    â€œThe inspector has some questions for you, Sister. Pray answer them to the best of your recollection.”
    Sister Damien turned an expectant glance to Sloan.
    â€œI want you to take your mind back to the events of Wednesday evening,” he began easily. “Supper, for instance—what did you have?”
    â€œSteak and kidney pie, and bread and butter pudding. The reading was of the martyrdom of Saint Denise.”
    â€œAnd Sister Anne sat next to you?”
    â€œNaturally.”
    â€œDid you speak to her then?”
    â€œTalking at meals is not permitted.”
    There was an irritating glint of self-righteousness in her eye that Sloan would dearly love to have squashed. Instead he said, “When did you see her again?”
    â€œNot until Vespers.”
    â€œWhat about Recreation?”
    â€œI didn’t see her then. I was talking to Sister Jerome about some lettering ink for prayer cards. We are,” she added insufferably, “permitted to move about at Recreation.”
    â€œWhen did you go into the Chapel?”
    â€œAbout a quarter past eight.”
    â€œWas Sister Anne there then?”
    â€œNo. She came much later. I thought she was going to be late.”
    â€œBut she wasn’t?”
    â€œNo, not quite.”
    â€œDid you speak to her?” asked Sloan—and wished he hadn’t.
    â€œSpeaking in Chapel is not permitted,” said Sister Damien inevitably.
    â€œDid you notice anything about her particularly?”
    â€œNo, Inspector, but we practice custody of the eyes.”
    â€œCustody of the eyes?”
    The Mother Prioress leaned forward. “You could call it the opposite of observation. It is the only way to acquire the true concentration of the religious.”
    Sloan took a deep breath. Custody of the eyes didn’t help him one little bit. “I see.”
    â€œThere was just one thing, Inspector.…”
    â€œWell?”
    â€œI think she may have been starting a cold. She did blow her nose several times.”
    â€œAbout the cloister.…”
    An entirely different sort of gleam came into Sister Damien’s eye. She smoothed away an invisible crease in her gown.
    â€œYes, Inspector, we shall be able to have that now. Sister Anne said that when she was dead we should have enough money to have our cloister. She told me so several times. And there would be some for the missions, too. She took a great interest in missionary work.”
    â€œDid she tell you where the money was to come from?” asked Sloan.
    â€œNo. Just that it would be going back to those from whom it had been taken.” Sister Damien seemed able to invest every remark she made with sanctimoniousness. “And that