"Ma'am!" exclaimed Roger, burlesquing a fall from the railing. "Fortunately you don't catch me in the state of ignorance that you supposed when you hurled that awful language at me. I haven't got a grandmother who is a member of the Rosemont Bird and Tree Club for nothing. An 'ornithological specimen' is just slang for 'bird.' Look out or I'll retaliate with 'chicken.'"
"I'm no chicken," denied Ethel Blue instantly.
"Look at that, Mother!" implored Roger. "All fussed up over a trifle like that! And the funny part is that if I said she was 'no chicken' she'd be just as mad! Girls are so queer," and he heaved an exaggerated sigh of perplexity.
"Do let's have your news if it's worth telling," asked Mrs. Morton.
"She doubts me," commented Roger haughtily. "Ha! You'll see, madam, that you have no reason to throw asparagus on my announcement. It's real news that I'm bringing. Chautauqua, the spot that we're honoring by our presence this summer, Chautauqua—is to have a birdman!"
The result of Roger's announcement was all that he had hoped and more than he had expected. The Ethels fairly pranced with excitement. Helen clapped her hands excitedly, and Mrs. Morton laid down her embroidery to ask, "When is he to come?"
"How perfectly stunning!"
"Where will he fly from?"
"Where's he going to keep his machine?"
"Is he going to take passengers?"