On Praying and Smoking

Sister Mary: Why are you smoking? Did Mother Superior give you permission to smoke?

Sister Aquinas: (puffing away) Yes.

Sister Mary: But she didn’t give me permission to smoke! It’s not fair!

Sister Aquinas: What did you ask her?

Sister Mary: I asked permission to have a cigarette while I am praying.”

Sister Aquinas: Ah. There’s the problem. I asked for permission to pray while I am having a cigarette.