Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/661

Rh (Sister Marcella and Sister Joanna of the Cross re enter.) Sister Sagrario. — What shall we talk about? Sister Joanna of the Cross. — Let Sister Marcella tell us a story. Sister Marcella. — Yes, so that you'll all be shocked. Sister Maria Jesus. — Ay! We are not such hypocrites as that, Sister! Sister Marcella. — Or so that Sister Sagrario can run and tell on us to the Mother Mistress. Sister Sagrario. — Oh, thank you, Sister! Sister Marcella. — It wouldn't be the first time either! Sister Sagrario. — You needn't mind me, Sisters. I am going to sit here in the corner and work, and you can talk about what ever you please. I shan't hear you. (She takes a pair of pincers, some beads and a piece of wire out of her pocket, and sitting down in a corner, begins to string a rosary.) Sister Joanna of the Cross. — Oh, come on, Sister! Don't be foolish! (They all surround her, and finally she allows herself to be persuaded, after many expressions of protest, like a small child who says " / won't play. ") Sister Sagrario. — Why! If they haven't forgotten the canary! Sister Marcella. — Poor thing! How do you like to be left in this nest of silly women, little fellow? Let's open the cage. Sister Maria Jesus. — What for? Sister Marcella. — So that he can fly away, silly, if he wants to. Sister Sagrario. — No, no! Sister Maria Jesus. — Our Mother wouldn't like that. Sister Marcella. — He would like i t , though. Come on! (She opens the door o f the cage.) Fly out, sweetheart! Fly away, the world i s yours. You are free! Sister Joanna o f the Cross. — He doesn't fly out. Sister Maria Jesus. — He doesn't budge. Sister Marcella. — Stupid, don't you see what a bright, sunny day i t is? Sister Joanna o f the Cross. — They say canaries are born in cages and, see, now they don't care to fly away. Sister Maria Jesus. — He'd rather stay shut up all his life like us nuns. Sister Marcella. — Then you're a great fool, birdie. (She shuts the door o f the cage.) God made the air for wings and He made wings to fly with. While he might be soaring away above the clouds, he i s satisfied to stay here all day shut up in his cage