Поющие в терновнике

           Buttodefineitisdifficult,becauseeventopriestsit’sagreatmystery.Adivinepossession,whichothermencanneverknow.That’sit,perhaps.Abandonit?Icouldn’t."

           "Soit’sapower,isit?Whyshoulditbegiventopriests,then?Whatmakesyouthinkthemeresmearingofchrismduringanexhaustinglylongceremonyisabletoendowanymanwithit?"

           Heshookhishead."Look,it’syearsoflife,evenbeforegettingtothepointofordination.ThecarefuldevelopmentofastateofmindwhichopensthevesseltoGod.It’searned!Everydayit’searned.Whichisthepurposeofthevows,don’tyousee?Thatnoearthlythingscomebetweenthepriestandhisstateofmind—notloveofawoman,norloveofmoney,norunwillingnesstoobeythedictatesofothermen.Povertyisnothingnewtome;Idon’tcomefromarichfamily.ChastityIacceptwithoutfindingitdifficulttomaintain.Andobedience?Forme,it’sthehardestofthethree.ButIobey,becauseifIholdmyselfmoreimportantthanmyfunctionasareceptacleforGod,I’mlost.Iobey.Andifnecessary,I’mwillingtoendureGillanboneasalifesentence."

           "Thenyou’reafool,"shesaid."I,too,thinkthattherearemoreimportantthingsthanlovers,butbeingareceptacleforGodisn’toneofthem.Odd.IneverrealizedyoubelievedinGodsoardently.Ithoughtyouwereperhapsamanwhodoubted."

           "Idodoubt.Whatthinkingmandoesn’t?That’swhyattimesI’mempty."Helookedbeyondher,atsomethingshecouldn’tsee.