Not many days later, our parents were notified to the effect that all three of us, Jacinta, Francisco and myself, together with our fathers, were to appear at a given hour on the following day before the Administration in Vila Nova Ourém. This meant that we had to make a journey of about nine miles, a considerable distance for three small children. The only means of transport in those days was either our own two feet or to ride on a donkey. My uncle sent word right away that he would appear himself but as for his children, he was not taking them. “They’d never stand the trip on foot, he said: “And not being used to riding, they could never manage to stay on the donkey. And anyway, there’s no sense in bringing two children like that before a court.” My parents thought the opposite: “My daughter is going. Let her answer for herself! As for me, I understand nothing of these things. If she is lying, then it is a good thing that she should be punished for it.”
Very early the next morning, they put me on a donkey and off I went, accompanied by my father and my uncle. I fell off the donkey three times along the way. I think I have already told you Your Excellency, how much Jacinta and Francisco suffered that day thinking I was going to be killed. As for me, what hurt me most was the indifference shown me by my parents. This was all the more obvious, since I could see how affectionately my aunt and uncle treated their children. I remember thinking to myself as we went along: “How different my parents are from my uncle and aunt. They risk themselves to defend their children, while my parents hand me over with the greatest indifference, and let them do what they like with me! But I must be patient.” I reminded myself in my inmost heart: “since this means I have the happiness of suffering more for love of You, O my God, and for the conversion of sinners.” This reflection never failed to bring me consolation.
At the Administration office, I was interrogated by the Administrator, in the presence of my father, my uncle and several other gentlemen who were strangers to me. The Administrator was determined to force me to reveal the secret and to promise him never to return to the Cova da Iria. To attain his end, he spared neither promises nor even threats. Seeing he was getting nowhere, he dismissed me, protesting however, that he would achieve his end, even if it meant that he had to take my life. He then strongly reprimanded my uncle for not having carried out his orders, and finally let us go home.