And in this way Evelyn was made to feel her responsibility so much that in the end she consented to give up part of her money to the nuns.  So long as she had just enough to live upon it did not matter, and she owed these nuns a great deal.  True that she had paid them ten times over what she owed them, but still, it was difficult to measure one’s debts in pounds, shillings, and pence.  However, that was the way the nuns wanted her to measure them, and if she could leave them fifteen hundred pounds—.  And as soon as this sum was agreed upon, Sister Winifred never lost an opportunity of regretting that the convent was obliged to accept this magnificent donation, hinting that the Prioress and herself would be willing (and there would be no difficulty in obtaining the consent of the choir sisters) to accept Evelyn’s services for three years in the school instead of the money.

“Five hundred a year we shall be paying you, but the value of your teaching will be very great; mothers will be especially anxious to send their daughters to our school, so that they may get good singing lessons from you.”

“And when I leave?”

“Well, the school will have obtained a reputation by that time.  Of course, you will be a loss, but we must try to do without you.”

“Three years in this convent!”

“But you are quite free here; you come and go as you please.  After all, your intention in leaving the convent is to teach music.  Why not teach music here?”

The argument was an ingenious one, but Evelyn did not feel that it would appeal to her in the least, either to continue living in the convent after she had finished her book, or to go back to the convent to give singing lessons three or four times a week.

It would be preferable for her to give fifteen hundred pounds to the convent, and so finish with the whole thing; and this she intended to do, though she put Mother Winifred off with evasion, leaving her thinking that perhaps after all she would teach for some little while in the convent.  It was necessary to do this, for Mother Winifred could persuade Mother Philippa as she pleased; and it had occurred to Evelyn that perhaps Mother Winfred might arrange for her expulsion.  Nothing could be easier than to tell her that somebody’s friend was going to stay with them in the convent, that the guest-room would be wanted.  To leave now would not suit Evelyn at all.  The late Prioress’s papers belonged to the convent; and to deceive Mother Winifred completely Evelyn agreed to give some singing lessons, for they had already begun to receive pupils, though the school was not yet finished.