“I shouldn’t be at all surprised if she didn’t,” remarked the Crow; “her tastes are most peculiar.”
“She’s perching very awkwardly, too,” said the Owl, staring at her with a puzzled air. “What’s the matter with her?”
“I suppose Pigs can’t perch properly,” remarked the Crow.
“You’re very rude, both of you,” said Girlie, completely losing her temper.
“Yes, four perches make one rood,” said the Crow, counting them.
“I suppose you think that’s clever,” said Girlie, “but it isn’t, for four perches don’t make one rood—it’s forty.”
“It’s the same thing,” said the Crow, “isn’t it?” he asked, turning to the Owl, who had shut his eyes again.
“Precisely,” he replied, opening one eye only, which made him look exactly as if he was winking.
“How do you make that out?” asked Girlie.
“I could show you, if I had a piece of paper and a pencil,” said the Crow. “How do you write forty?” he asked.