Page:Good Night (1907, Gates).djvu/38

 the difference between sun and moon.”

“Aw, Lora,” murmured the parrot; “''aw, Lo-ra! Lo-ra!''”

“Yes, Tomasso has used thee badly.” Padre Alonzo patted her head. “I shall put thee on thy perch,” he went on; “though I trust good Anzar will not know it. But the moon is up, and my heart is tender. Alas I one does many things when the moon is up. And the next day–one does penance.”

He thrust the parrot into a fold of his cassock, made along to where was the perch, and placed her upon it. Then he stood back, folding his arms.

“To-morrow is Christmas Day, Loretta,” he said. “And what wilt thou give to Tony? What can