After Mr. Bullfinch had expressed his thanks and left, all three of the Martin children begged their mother to buy the parrot from Mr. Bullfinch. Jerry rashly promised all his allowance for May. Cathy wouldn't go as far as that but she would spare a dollar. And Andy trotted off for his piggy bank to contribute his pennies.
"I better run after Mr. Bullfinch and tell him he needn't phone in that ad for the newspaper," said Jerry.
"You'll do no such thing," said his mother. "I agreed to keep the parrot over the week end. I meant over the week end and no longer."
When their mother spoke in that tone of voice, her children had learned it was no use to argue.
"I've always wanted a parrot for a pet and here is a good chance to get one and you turn it down," grumbled Jerry.
"What's the parrot's name?" asked Mr. Martin.
Jerry didn't know. "Can you ask him what his name is in Spanish?" he asked his father.
Mr. Martin didn't think that would do much good but he could and did ask the parrot in Spanish what his name was.
There was no response from the parrot.
"Guess you'll have to give him a name," said Mr. Martin.