“Now, Poll, sneeze!” said its master.
Poll jumped up and down, and sneezed, and then laughed exactly like a human being. Mr. Cottenham’s parrot was known for miles round, and children would come to his shop on purpose to hear it talk.
A customer entered the shop, and Poll called out “Shop!” Mr. Cottenham went, and returned in a few minutes.
The boys had a hearty tea. “Now, would you like to hear how it was I bought Poll?” said their host.
“Yes, sir, very much,” said both of the boys.
“It was seven years ago last autumn, when I was out some distance from here, going for a walk across country. I am very fond of a good walk, and often go out all day when I take a holiday. It was very hot, and so I had my big white umbrella, as I don’t care what people think or say. I like to be comfortable if I can. It was rather difficult on that day to feel very comfortable, though, as the sun was shining not only brightly, but nearly as hot as I have felt it in India.”
“Have you been in India, sir?” asked Steve.
“Yes, Steve, I was in a government medical store for five years when I was quite a young man. Well, I have never felt in India so hot as I felt on that particular day. I like warm weather, and feel as lively as a kitten when it is hot. What are you laughing at? You think I am rather too big to be a kitten?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Steve, laughing, “just a little bit.”