I Saw Water. Ithell Colquhoun

is a pilgrimage-centre, complete enclosure is not practicable.

      I was wearing the habit of the Order, which is made of a material something like loden-cloth* but lighter, the sage-green being protective colouration for the odd hayseed or splash of mud. I suppose it originated in the Black Forest,* for our Foundress was a native of that region and the Mother-House of our Order is still there. Even at our remote Ianua Vitae we have representatives from many nations.

      Once when I was ill as a Postulant and had to spend some time in our infirmary, I was looked after by a student-nurse from Australia, who belonged to another Order. For special occasions, such as the presenting of a diploma, she used to wear a pill-box hat of white velvet trimmed with pearls, a filmy veil depending from the back of it and a long white satin dress off-the-shoulder. The effect was bridal, like the dress we wear during the first part of our ceremony of ‘Clothing’—the last worldly gear we put on before assuming the final Habit.