Keep young. Keep innocent. Innocence does not come back: and repentance is a poor thing beside it.
The chimes of the monastery were ringing out for the first mass; deep bells of sweet tone, that came down the river like a benediction on the day. Signa kneeled down on the grass.
"Did you pray for the holy men?" Bruno asked him when they rose, and they went on under the tall green quivering trees.
"No," said Signa under his breath. "I prayed for the devil."
"For him?" echoed Bruno aghast; "what are you about, child? Are you possessed? Do you know what the good priests would say?"
"I prayed for him," said Signa. "It is he who wants it. To be wicked there where God is, and the sun, and the bells"——
"But he is the foe of God. It is horrible to pray for him."
"No," said Signa, sturdily. "God says we are to forgive our enemies, and help them. I only asked Him to begin with His."