Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 243

servant loses, any more than it matters to the first paid servant, a part of

whose job is being paid to lose sleep over the Nancy Mannigoes and Temple

Drakes?

STEVENS

Not lying.

TEMPLE

All right. Stalling, then. So maybe if his excellency or his honor or

whatever they call him, will answer the question, we can get on.

STEVENS

Why not let the question go, and just get on?

GOVERNOR

(to Temple)

Ask me your question. How much of what do I al

ready know?

TEMPLE

(after a moment: she doesn't answer at first, staring at the Gov-

ernor: then:)

Uncle Gavin's right. Maybe you are the one to ask the questions. Only, make

it as painicss as possible. Because it's going to be a little . . . painful,

to put it euphoniously-at least 'euphonious' is right, isn't it?-no matter

who bragged about blindfolds.

GOVERNOR

Tell me about Nancy-Mannihoe, Mannikoe-how does she spell it?

TEMPLE

She doesn't. She cant. She cant read or write either. You are hanging her

under Mannigoe, which may be wrong too, though after tomorrow morning it

wont matter.

GOVERNOR

Ob yes, Manigault. The old Charleston name.

STEVENS

Older than that. Maingault. Nancy's heritage-or

anyway her patronym-runs Norman blood.

GOVERNOR

Why not start by telling me about her?

TEMPLE

You are so wise. She was a dope-fiend whore that my