The story, or character sketch, has no startling event. The young monk moves in the soft light of kindliness, a beautiful, dream-like figure presented to us with sufficient realism to give verisimilitude. How much better to show this modern, idealistic figure in modern surroundings than to picture some one in the distant past, or in the still more distant future!
Phyllis Bottome was born in England. Her father was an American clergyman and her mother an English woman. She has spent most of her life in England, although she has lived in America, France and Italy. She has written many short stories, some of which have been collected in a volume called The Derelict.
Torcello. An island six miles northeast of Venice.
Saint Francis. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226. The founder of the monastic order of Franciscans.
Poverelli. Poor people.
Rembrandt. 1607-1669. A great Dutch painter. Some of his pictures,—especially The Night Watch,—show wonderful light effects.
Poverino. Poor little fellow.
The sin of Esau. See the Bible story in Genesis 25: 27-34. Esau sold his birthright in order to satisfy his hunger.
St. Francis’ birds. St. Francis loved all animate and inanimate nature, and once preached to the birds as if they could understand him.
Per Bacco, Signore. By Bacchus, Sir!