"Two ways?"
"Marriage is the usual way. If God had wanted only nuns, He would have created women only. That one sees. Whereas there are women and men—so marriage is the ordinary way for women; and if God chooses there should be more married women than nuns, it shows He doesn't want too many nuns."
The argument was new to Mariquita: she was little used to hear any abstract discussion from her father.
"You have thought of it," she said; "I have never thought of all that."
"There was no necessity. It might have been out of place. All the same it is true what I say."
"But I think it is also true that to be a nun is the best way for some women."
"Naturally. For some."
Mariquita had no sort of desire to argue with him, or anyone; arguments were, she thought, almost quarrels.
He, on his side, was again thinking of Sarella, and left the nuns alone.
"It would," he said, "be a good thing if Sarella should become Catholic. If she talks about religion you can explain to her that there can be only one that is true."