Well, my little sister?
Benvenuta. I pray you, Mother.
Abbess. I listen, little sister.
Benvenuta. It is about the little Child Christ. I pray you that a coat may be made for him—a warm coat of soft silk; for at Christmas he lies out in the draughty manger before the altar, and even at other times he is very cold at night here in the Sacristy closet. And I pray you, Mother?
Abbess. I listen.
[Reënter the Sister Sacristan.]
Benvenuta. That I may help with the making of the coat, for all that I sew so badly.
Abbess [smiling]. Truly, our little sister Benvenuta Loredan was born to be the nursery-maid of Heaven.
Sister Sacristan. Is it for me to know also, Mother?
Abbess. Our little sister wishes that a coat of warm silk be made for the little Bambino, against next Christmas in the cold of the chapel.