“You won’t need to help us talk,” said Sancho. “We are worse than magpies when we are together.”
“You may go back to your friends now,” said Santa Claus, “and I’ll see that you are admitted to the house.”
Sancho made an effort to walk out of the beard in a dignified manner, but he was too firmly caught to get away so easily. He began to pull and struggle.
“Ouch!” cried Santa Claus, “who’s pulling my beard?”
“I can’t get out,” cried Sancho Wing.
“So there’s where you are! In my beard! Well, of all the places to hide!” cried Santa Claus in the greatest amazement. With a pair of shears and a mirror he succeeded in freeing the little bird after the exercise of a good deal of patience.
As soon as he was released Sancho told Santa Claus he was sorry for the trouble he had caused, thanked him for the invitation to dinner, and flew back to his companions.
