“Pray give it me.”
This was the note:—
“5, Chickweed Place, Elmsford, June 10.
“My dear Mrs. Cheerlove,
“I’m off this afternoon to Canterbury, to spend a month; and, meanwhile, have sent you my cockatoo to amuse you. Perhaps you did not know I had one. It only arrived yesterday, as a present from Lady Almeria Fitzhenry. So you see it is quite an aristocratic bird; and it will look extremely well on your lawn in fine weather, and, on wet days, afford you company. Mrs. Grove is dying to have one, so you may consider yourself favoured. If you get attached to it, you shall have it all the winter. I am sure it will be a pet with Phillis.
“Your affectionate friend,
“Cornelia Burt.”
“P.S. Please send me back the directions for making the magic ruff.”
“Phillis,” said I, “Miss Burt thinks you will make the cockatoo quite a pet.”