Miss Mary looked much disgusted. “Africa,” she said, “as every person of education knows [with a withering glance at the raccoon], is the exact centre of the universe. It is the most beautiful of all lands,—a land of palm-trees and crocodiles, ivory and gold-dust, sunny fountains and—”
“Oh!” cried Toto eagerly, “excuse me for interrupting, Miss Mary; but are the sands really golden? ‘Where Afric’s sunny fountains,’ you know, ‘roll down their golden sands,’—is that really true?”
“Certainly,” replied Miss Mary.
“Dear me, yes. A fountain wouldn’t be called a fountain in Africa if it hadn’t golden sands. It would be called a cucumber-wood pump,” suggested the woodchuck drowsily.
“Toto,” said the parrot sharply, “if I am interrupted any more, I shall go home. Will that woodchuck be quiet, or will he not?”
“He will, he will!” cried Toto. “We will all be very quiet, Miss Mary, and not say a word. Pray go on.”
Miss Mary smoothed her feathers, which had become quite ruffled, and continued,—
“I was not a common wild parrot,—I should think not, indeed! My mother came of a distinguished family, and was the favorite bird of the great Bhughabhoo, King of Central Africa; and I, as soon as I was fully fledged, became the pet and darling of his only daughter, the Princess Polpetti. Ah! happy, indeed, were the first years of my life! I was the Princess’s constant companion. She used to make songs in my honor, and sing them to her royal father while he drank his rum-and-water. They were lovely songs. Would you like to hear one of them?”
All the company declared that it was the one desire of their hearts. So, clearing her throat, and cocking her head on one side, Miss Mary sang:—
“‘Chamchamchamchamkickeryboo,