In
sunny weather a great awning is spread over the whole court, across from
the upper stories of the house. There is a grass-plat in the middle, and
a very spacious and airy dining-saloon is thus formed.
Our railroad carriage was comfortable, and we found in it, besides two
other Frenchwomen, two nuns. They were very devout, and sedulously read
their little books of devotion, repeated prayers under their breath,
kissed the crucifixes which hung at their girdles, and told a string of
beads, which they passed from one to the other. So much were they
occupied with these duties, that they scarcely looked at the scenery
along the road, though, probably, it is very rare for them to see
anything outside of their convent walls. They never failed to mutter a
prayer and kiss the crucifix whenever we plunged into a tunnel. If they
glanced at their fellow-passengers, it was shyly and askance, with their
lips in motion all the time, like children afraid to let their eyes
wander from their lesson-book.
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