"Oh, she asked me how I liked her room, and she showed me the parrot next door. It's a beautiful bird—"
"Never mind a bird! What did she say about Mr. Coriell?"
"Why, we talked about the parrot first. You see, his cage hangs in a window right across from hers, not ten feet away—"
"Nonsense!" cried Alicia, "who cares about the parrot! Tell us about my hero!"
"She says he has a dreadful voice, and squawks like fury—"
"Oh, he HASN'T! He's a wonderful singer!"
"I mean the parrot," said Dolly, mischievously enjoying Alicia's disgusted look. "And she says we can ask him to tea."
"Who? the parrot?" This from Dotty.
"No, you silly! Mr. Coriell. But, of course, if you'd rather have the parrot—"
"Oh, Dolly, do be sensible!" and Bernice looked exasperated; "are you going to tell us all about it or not?"