Benvenuta. It is much the same, I think.
Atalanta. Anyway, I am glad I told you, Benvenuta. Why can I not forget about it?
Benvenuta [laying her hand on Atalanta's head]. It would be better if you could forget it, Atalanta. You must go now.
Atalanta. One moment—don't take your hand away. I had to tell somebody.
[Both look off in a sort of dreamy ecstasy, thinking of the two babies. Grimana enters again. Atalanta rises.]
Atalanta. I am full of thankfulness, Sister Benvenuta. I will go to my task.
[Atalanta bows her head and follows Grimana out. A muffled droning chorus is heard from the chapel. Benvenuta watches the others go off, and then speaks to the Bambino through the door of the Sacristy closet.]
Benvenuta. My dear—my dear little Great One, can you hear my voice through the door? Dear little child Christ, I am so sorry for you, alone for days and days in the closet with the holy relics and the wax lights. And at night it must be very cold for you. I wish I might touch you, dear little Great One, with my hands.
[She tries the door and, finding it unfastened, draws back from it a moment.]
It is open; the Sister Sacristan has left it unlocked. For this I am thankful, for I am sure you put it into her mind to leave it so—or that you by your divine power and foresight put it out of her mind to lock it as she intended.