“The Captain said he knew of one man in the forecastle, who had a very unusually imitative bird, so the Clergyman went in search of the sailor, and offered him quite a liberal price for his pet. To his surprise the sailor replied:
“‘I want to sell her bad, but she won’t suit the like of you, sir.’
“‘Oh,’ said the other, ‘I am the best judge of that, and am ready to take all risks.’
“‘But, indeed, your reverence, if you must have the truth out of me, you know we sailors are apt, the more shame for us, to let slip bad words often, and you see the bird has got into our ways.’
“‘That is indeed a sad thing,’ said the Clergyman, ‘but I will engage soon to cure him of that fault.’
“The bargain was concluded, and Poll soon found, instead of being laughed at and admired when she said her bad words, she was instantly plunged into a cold bath, from which she came out so uncomfortable that she had to fly to the warm kitchen, and sit in the chimney-corner.
“One day a poor, shivering little chicken sought shelter in the kitchen from a heavy shower. Poll was there, too, in disgrace, and, as she caught sight of the dripping feathers, she said to her companion bird, ‘You say bad words, too?’
“Now, children, I have been told that this story is true; but, however that may be, never utter a word you would shrink to hear this poor, soulless creature repeat after you.”
The children thanked the traveller for his story, and ran off for another chat with Poll.
Mr. Havens, in the meantime, has lighted his cigar, and is talking on the porch steps with Farmer Brown, whose wife is showing Miss Emma her poultry-yard and dairy, whilst Hugh, Nan, Charlotte, and Norah are enjoying their meal under the tree.