not only are the ursulines the center of catholic tradition in quebec-the convent proudly owns the skull of mont-calm ; for two centuries there have never been less than nine sisters kneeling at prayer , night and day , before the chapel altar-but my family had belonged to the very innermost citadel of french-canadianism , and that their daughter should flout both treasured folkways at one blow was a nine days ' wonder-and scandal .