Then, again, when Gertie repeated the multiplication table, and said, ‘Twice one is two,’ Polly would shriek out ‘Gammon.’
‘Humbug’ and ‘gammon’ were the mildest words in Polly’s vocabulary. Doubtless she selected them for the occasion in deference to Miss Adrian.
When her mistress was gone Gertie would lecture Polly severely.
‘Polly,’ she said, one day, with tears in her eyes, ‘unless you repent you’ll go to the bad place. You must have a new heart, Polly. Oh, Polly, why are you so wicked?’
‘Humbug,’ shrieked Polly, with a chuckle.
‘But you are wicked, Polly; and nothing that’s wicked can be happy. Miss Adrian says so.’
‘Gammon,’ shrieked Polly.
Gertie gave Polly up in despair, and turned to Lion for comfort. He at least was good, and did not swear and use bad words.
‘Look at Lion, Polly, what an example he sets you,’ exclaimed Gertie one day in despair. ‘Lion’s a——’
‘Humbug,’ interrupted the Satanic bird.