Atalanta. It's the Sister Sacristan. Now she'll make me go, and there's something you must tell me—you must—I beg of you.
[The Sister Sacristan comes in and goes straight to Atalanta, ignoring Benvenuta. Her keys are audible as she walks.]
The Sister Sacristan. Well, Mistress Perverse and Disobedient? Not come to reason yet?
Benvenuta. Pray you, Sister Sacristan, pardon her. Let me speak with her a little while—only a little while. Her tasks can wait—
Sister Sacristan. Her tasks! Praise the Blessed Mother, in this noble house we need not depend on the novices for anything. It's not that—it's the discipline in the pigeon cot. The Mother Abbess will be displeased—
Benvenuta. Pray you, Sister Sacristan. This novice has asked of me some spiritual admonition. She is my kinswoman, and I cannot refuse it. So I ask you for a little time with her, to speak to her of spiritual things, and perhaps bring her some comfort, to the end that her holy vocation may the sooner come. I ask it in humility, Sister Sacristan.
Sister Sacristan [crossing to the closet, which she unlocks]. Admonition, eh?
[She takes out some vestments, which she hangs over her arm, closing the door.]
Benvenuta. I ask you to remember, Sister, that last Thursday I took upon myself the vexed matter of the hair of the two new novices, and that it throve in my charge.
Sister Sacristan. Yes—throve. You so coddled them that they cried for you each night after, and are more trouble to the lay sisters than ever. But since she's your kinswoman—have it as you will. I look for little effect from your admonitions, I may as well tell you.