CHAPTER 37 

Meg was assigned to empty the potties of the newly arrived patient. This is still part of her punishment for stealing food. However, she would have preferred this task to being physically assaulted. But it was Dorothy herself who received the harshest punishment: in addition to chopping wood all day, she would go without food for five days.

"You have five minutes to empty the potty and bring it back."

When the door was opened and a little light entered the room, Meg saw a woman tied to the bed, covered in old, torn sheets, who was crying non-stop. Her face was against the wall and all Meg could see were two staples in her hair and the deep marks on her wrists. Meg picked up the potty and left quickly.

"Feed her. We can't untie her. She's too violent," said one of the nuns.

Meg picked up the tray with porridge and bread. She approached the bed.

"I brought your food. It looks bad, but it tastes good," she said mildly.

The porridge itself was a viscous, white mass with no sme