Letter 60. To Mother Mary Baptist, Prioress, Segovia, after July 16, 1574

OF VALLADOLID

The Saint regrets that she cannot visit her. Health. Lawsuits at Segovia.

Jesus be with you, my daughter!

1AM amused at your being annoyed with me, for I can assure you that I was not very pleased at being prevented from visiting you: on the contrary, it would have given me such pleasure that I thought it would be an imperfeófion to suggest it, as I saw no need for me to go to Valladolid. As the Father Master is there, why should I be wanted ? Therefore if I am sent there I shall go, otherwise I shall not mention the subjed:. I think I am of real use here, although there appears to be no work for me to do. But you are so capable that perhaps if I were with you I should have nothing to do but enjoy myself — and indeed that is all I am fit for.

As for the lay sister, since the matter is settled there is no more to be said, but I maintain that it is very excessive for the three nuns there to have so many lay sisters; it is most unreasonable, I think we must persuade the Father Visitor to fix the number of lay sisters, as he has of choir nuns.

I do not know what to say about your concealing vour serious ill-health from me: you wound my feelings very much. It is extremely foolish to be afraid of imperfed:ion by taking care of yourself when you know how important your health is. I cannot understand what our Father is thinking about in your case; I assure you that I shall be exceedingly angry if you do not obey Maria de la Cruz in the matter.

I am very prudent myself in such things. To tell the truth, I was always very imperfed:, but now there seems more need for such care, for I am so old and worn out that you would be shocked at the sight of me. As my stomach has been out of order for the last few days the nuts were very welcome, although there were still some left of those vou sent before. Thev are excellent. Eat those that remain, for love of me.

Remenber me aífeótionately to the Countess de Osorno.' I do not think we have written more than once to one another. I will write again when it is possible, but three packets of letters came to-day and no small number arrived yesterday, besides which mv confessor is at the grille, and as he wishes me to despatch the messenger quickly, I cannot write at length.

Oh, what a melancholy letter from my Father! Will you enquire at once whether he holds the Father Visitor's licence in writing. The canons weary me; now they are asking the Superior's leave to oblige us to pay the rent-charge. If my Father has power to grant this, it must be given in writing and through a lawyer. If he has authority for it, for charity's sake let him send it to me soon, unless he wishes these canons to crush me completely. We should be in the house already, but for those wretched three thousand ?naravedis and perhaps there might still be time for me to call on you if I were bidden. I should like to do so, were it onlv to see the nun of whom you speak.

Tell Maria de la Cruz that I was delighted with her letter and that the way to please me best will be by taking care of your Reverence.

Do not fail to keep on good terms with the Redior, for perhaps he may prove your staunchest

" Maria de 'elasco y Aragón. She gave a picture of our Lady to the Saint.

friend, and those fathers do us good service. The Keétor here managed the purchase of our house; he interviewed the Chapter and settled matters to our advantage. May God do the same for you, my daughter! Do not be vexed with me, for I have told you how I long to see you, and it would be a falsehood to say that I do not. If I should visit you, the people of rank and the visitors I should meet and the excitement would tire me extremely, but 1 would bear that for the sake of seeing you.

I wrote you a few lines last night and it is much to have finished this, considering how I am pressed for tune. All the nuns beg for your prayers. May God make you a saint for me! The answers enclosed with my Father's letters are charming; I do not know whom to believe. Do not trouble yourself about persuading him to write to me; I can dispense with his letters if you let me know about his health. Tell me where he is: if he is at Medina, he will do wrong in not coming here.

The messenger arrived at ten o'clock this morning; I am sending him away at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Why do you not mention Señora Doña Maria?' Give her many kind messages from me. May God have her in His keeping for me! Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.