“I want to hear the bird sing!” demanded the child, as she spied Caruso, and in response to her implied praise the mocker caroled a welcome.
The officer threw him a glance and word of approval. “He can do it, can’t he!”
“Huh!” laughed Blue, “that ain’t anything. Make him sing, Doodles!”
As the lad began to whistle, the bird did not seem to notice. He continued to eat and drink, quite as if music had no interest for him. Then, suddenly, without a preliminary note, he burst into “Annie Laurie,” and sang it to its end, delighting the small girl, and astonishing Fitzpatrick.
“I wouldn’t have believed it of him! Sure, I wouldn’t!” The man eyed the slim bird incredulously.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” beamed Doodles.
“He is that!” agreed the officer.
Whereupon Blue was for showing his further accomplishments; but the man smilingly shook his head, and bade a hasty good-bye, coupled with a promise to come again when he had no kidnapers on hand.
As he went down, Granny O’Donnell came up. Granny was never so happy as when nursing a sick child, and by the time Dr. Alford arrived she and little Daphne Fleming were the best of friends.
Since they had not succeeded in hearing direct from her parents, the doctor took his patient to the hospital, and they were scarcely away before the neighbors began to flock in, rumors of the affair having flown to all parts of The Flatiron.