human
Aunt Anna teaches without talking; and of Rita,
gpt
She fears neither God nor the devil.
human
You already know, Rita, she said calmly,
gpt
That I was never pleased with your marriage.
human
And have you come to receive my thanks?
gpt
I had penetrated your character.
human
It was not necessary to be a seer to do that, replied Rita,
gpt
I am perfectly open and frank. I say what I think.
human
The evil is not in saying what you think, but in thinking what you say.
gpt
It is plain that it would be better for me to play the dead fox, or still water, like some who appear flakes of snow, but are in reality grains of salt.
human
Notwithstanding, I was deceived. I had not entirely fathomed you.
gpt
Go on, said Rita,
human
I never thought that what has come to pass would happen.
gpt
Now it escapes and rains pitchforks,
human
Since, proceeded Anna,
gpt
Ho, is that the matter?
human
And kill my poor daughter--
gpt
That will do, interrupted Rita,
human
Rita, she said, when the latter had finished,
gpt
What are you saying! exclaimed Rita, springing to her feet and throwing away her work, her cheeks and eyes on fire.
human
What have you said, madam? I fake to my marriage vows? To that which your eyes did not see you have brought in your hand! I false! I! You have always borne me ill-will, like a mother-in-law in fact, and a bad mother-in-law, but I never knew before that the saint-eaters bore _such_ testimony.
gpt
I do not say that you are so, replied Anna, in the same grave and moderate tone which she had observed from the beginning,
human
Now, as formerly, and always a prophetess, Jonah in person, and (she added between her teeth)
gpt
Yes, Rita, yes, said Anna,
human
To threaten me?
gpt
No, Rita, no, my daughter; I have come to beg of you in the name of God, for the love of my son, for the sake of your children, and for your own sake, to consider what you are doing, to examine your heart while there is yet time.
human
Did Perico send you?
gpt
No, my dear son suspects nothing, God forbid that we should awaken a sleeping lion.
human
Well, then, why do you put yourself into so wide a garment? Go along! The one who is being hanged does not feel it but the witness feels it! Perico, madam, is not and never has been jealous; neither does he suspect the fingers of his guests, or go in quest of trouble. He is no dirty hypocrite, crying to heaven because people joke, and he does not bully because somebody draws a few buckets of water for his wife when she is washing. Do you think that I shall lose my soul for that?
gpt
Rita, Rita, do not trifle with men.
human
Nor you with women. Good heavens! it would seem that I am scandalizing the town.
gpt
Consider, Rita, continued Anna with increased severity,
human
You would bathe in rose-water, responded Rita