noise, and why he suffers the bird to disturb his quiet by these
outrageous screams."

"I know it well enough, Catharine," said the doctor's wife, with a
gentle smile. "The parrot reminds my husband of his voyage to
England, and of all the glory and honor that were showered upon him
there."

"Well, as far as that is concerned, I should think it was entirely
unnecessary for my master to make a trip to England," exclaimed
Catharine. "He has not returned a more famous man than he was
already when he went away. The English were unable to add to his
glory, for he was already the most celebrated man in the whole world
when he went there, and if that had not been the case, they would
not have invited him to come and perform his beautiful music before
them, for then they would not have known that he is such a splendid
musician."

"But they were delighted to see him, Catharine, and I tell you they
have perfectly overwhelmed him with honors. Every day they gave him
festivals, and even the king and queen urged him frequently to take
up his abode in England. The queen promised him splendid apartments
in Windsor Castle, and a large salary, and in return my husband was
to do nothing but to perform every day for an hour or so before her
majesty, or sing with her. Nevertheless, he had the courage to
refuse the brilliant offers of the king and queen, and do you know,
Catharine, why he rejected them?"

Catharine knew it well enough; she had frequently heard the story
from her mistress during the two years since the doctor had returned