“What do you mean, Parrot?” she asked.
“Well, I saw you tearing at a piece of rubber just now, and when you marched off Terrapin carried it away, and I heard him say—because he has a habit of speaking his thoughts aloud—Oh, how stupid my sister Crane is! She thinks my ma is dead. Ho, ho, ho! what a stupid! And all the way he chuckled and laughed as though he was filled with plantain wine.”
“Is his ma not dead then?” asked Miss Crane.
“Dead! Not a bit of it,” replied Parrot. “I saw old Ma Terrapin but a moment ago as I flew by her tree, waiting for her son, and the cord is ready for his cry of ‘Tu-no-no-no. Ano-no-no. We-no-no-no!’”
“Ah, Parrot, your words are good. When we know what another is saying behind our backs, we discover the workings of his heart. The words of Terrapin are like the bush that covers the trap. Good-by, Parrot. When we next meet, we shall have another story to tell.”
On the next day, Terrapin observed Miss Crane approaching his house, and he advanced a little way to meet her.
“Well, sister Crane, I hope you are all right this morning?” he asked.
“Oh yes, so so, brother Terrapin. But you must excuse me just now; I’ve heard bad news from my family. A brother and sister of mine are suddenly taken ill, and I am bound to go and visit them,” answered Crane.
“Ah, Miss Crane, that reminds me of my own brother and sister, who are much younger than I am, but very soft and tender. What do you say now to making another bargain?” asked Terrapin with a wink.
“You are very good, Terrapin. I will think of it as I go along. I shall be back before noon to-morrow, and we will talk of a trade then.” They were very civil to one another as they parted. Terrapin went for his usual walk to the pond, Miss Crane proceeded to visit her family, but muttered: