human
That is a foolish question, my daughter, she said at last.
gpt
Do you think that God was not pleased by the sufferings of the holy martyrs, and did not reward them for what they bore?
human
No, I did not mean that, answered Maria, quickly.
gpt
But why should we not all be martyrs? It would be much quicker.
human
Heaven preserve us! exclaimed the abbess.
gpt
What are you thinking of, child?
human
It would be so much quicker, repeated Maria.
gpt
What are we here for? To sacrifice our lives to God. We wish to make this sacrifice, and God promises to accept it. Why would it be less complete if we were led to the altar as soon as we have finished our novitiate and quickly killed? It would be the same, and it would be much quicker. What difference can it make how we die, since we are to die in the end, without accomplishing anything except dying?