“It does look so,” admitted her brother.
As the two children saw the crow stepping about Janet observed something else. Eagerly she clutched Ted’s arm and whispered:
“Ted, that crow is lame, just like Mr. Jenk’s!”
“And he’s tame, too,” said Teddy. “He isn’t a bit afraid of us. I’m going to offer him some cheese!” He held out a bit in his hand to the black bird. “Here, Jim! Jim!” coaxed Teddy. “Here’s cheese for you!”
“Caw! Caw!” croaked the glossy bird, head on one side. It fluttered its wings and seemed about to fly toward Teddy to get the cheese.
“Oh, Ted! I’m going to tap like a woodpecker!” said Janet. “And you snap your fingers. If that’s Jim, the lame, tame crow, he’ll stand on one leg and he’ll pull a cork!”
“We’ll try it!” exclaimed Teddy.
Janet tapped on a tree near her, using a stick to make the sound. Teddy snapped his fingers as well as he was able. Instantly the crow stopped cawing. It turned its head on one side and then, a moment later, stood on one leg, thrusting the other—the lame one—out from him like a stiff stick.
“Look, Teddy! Look!” whispered Janet.
“Snap! Snap!” went Teddy’s chubby fingers.