"A Hindu parrot!" The woman gazed at the bird, frankly interested. "What a funny little bird! You have traveled far?"
"Half-way around the world. My train was stalled to-night; so Malachi and I concluded to spend the night in peace and quiet. I rather wanted to hear him talk. Boats and trains bother him, and he hasn't spoken for days."
"A parrot!"
"A parrakeet," he corrected.
"I never knew that men carried them about. I thought it was always fussy old maids."
"I'm a deep-sea sailor; and we sailors are always lugging around pets for mascots. I have lived in the Orient for six years." He spoke with engaging frankness. Why not? Was there anything concerning John Mathison that she did not know?
"What do you call him?"
"Malachi."
"What does that mean?"
"You have me there. It was the name of an elephant in one of Kipling's yarns."