But Guy seemed so much amused that I did not pursue the topic.
"Please thyself," said he, when he had finished laughing. "But why dost thou prefer single life?"
"For various reasons," said I. "For one, I like to have my own way."
"Well, now, women are queer folks!" said Guy. "Oh my most rational sister, wilt thou not have to obey thine abbess? And how much better will that be than obeying thine husband?"
"It will be better in two respects," I answered. "In the first place, an abbess is a woman, and would therefore be more reasonable than a man; and in"——
"Oh dear! I did not understand that!" said Guy. "I am rather ignorant and stupid."
"Thou art," said I. "And in the second, I should try, as soon as possible, to be an abbess myself."
"My best wishes attend thy speedy promotion, most holy Mother!" said Guy, bowing low, but laughing. "I perceive I was very stupid. But thou seest, I really did not know that women were such extremely reasonable beings. I fancied that, just now and then, they were slightly unreasonable."
"Now, Guy, give over!" said I. "But can I not wait a while? Must I decide at once?"
"Of course not, if that be thy wish," said Guy. "But thou art past the usual age for profession."