human
I have often told you that you must not sing in your cell,
gpt
I cannot help it, she answered in a constrained voice.
human
I did not know that I was singing--
gpt
That is ridiculous! How can one sing, and not know it? You are not deaf. At least, you do not sing as though you were. I will not have it. I could hear you as far away as my own room--a love-song, too!
human
The love of death,
gpt
It makes no difference, answered the elder lady.
human
You disturb the peace of the sisters with your singing. You know the rule, and you must obey it, like the rest. If you must sing, then sing in church.
gpt
I do.
human
Very well, that ought to be enough. Must you sing all the time? Suppose that the Cardinal had been visiting me, as was quite possible, what impression would he have had of our discipline?
gpt
Oh, Uncle Cardinal has often heard me sing.
human
You must not call him 'Uncle Cardinal.' It is like the common people who say 'Uncle Priest.' I have told you that a hundred times at least. And if the Cardinal has heard you singing, so much the worse.
gpt
He once told me that I had a good voice,
human
A good voice is a gift of God and to be used in church, but not in such a way as to attract attention or admiration. The devil is everywhere, my daughter, and makes use of our best gifts as a means of temptation. The Cardinal certainly did not hear you singing that witch's love-song which I heard just now. He would have rebuked you as I do.
gpt
It was not a love-song. It is about death--and Saint John's eve.
human
Well, then it is about witches. Do not argue with me. There is a rule, and you must not break it.