"'Tis stealing," he said feebly.

"'Tis stealing," the dancer mocked. "Hast thou another sermon
ready, Sir Preacher?"

"Empty bellies make light fingers," quoth the youth. "Did'st thou
ever hunger, master?"

"There is the fast of Lent which presses somewhat," said Hilarius.

"But ever a meal certain once in the day?" queried the girl.

"Ay, surely, and collation also; and Sunday is no fast."

The mischievous apes laughed--how they laughed!

"So, good Preacher," said the dancer at last, rising to her feet,
"thou dost know it is wrong to steal; but hast never felt hunger.
Thou dost know it is wrong to love any but God, the Saints, and thy
mother; but thou hast never known a mother, nor felt what it was to
love. Blind eyes! Blind eyes! the very forest could teach thee
these things an thou would'st learn. Farewell, good novice, back
to thy Saints and thy nursery; for me the wide wide world; hunger
and love--love--love!"

She seized her brother's hand and together they danced away like
two bright butterflies among the trees.

Hilarius stared after them until they disappeared, and then with