“The lady directed the butler to take him from the room; and the man had taken him as far as the door, when the bird, perhaps thinking he had done wrong, and had better apologize, called out,—
“‘Sorry I spoke.’
“The overpowering effect on those present can be better imagined than described.”
“Here is a story,” continued Mrs. Lee, “of a parrot who acted as a police officer.”
“In Camden, New Jersey, Mr. John Hutchinson had a very loquacious parrot, and also a well-stocked chest of silver plate. One day some robbers thought they would like to use silver forks, goblets, and spoons, as well as their rich neighbors, and watching their opportunity broke into the pantry.
“They had already picked the lock off the thick oaken chest, and were diving down among salvers, pitchers, and smaller articles, when they were terrified to hear a loud, angry voice exclaim,—
“‘You lazy rascals, I see you! John, bring me my revolver!’
“Dropping the silver, which they had taken, on the floor, the robbers made a rush for the window, which they had forced open, and in their hurry got over the wrong fence into the yard of a neighbor who kept a fierce dog.
“Bruno, not at all pleased with the appearance of his sudden visitors, sprang upon them, barking at the top of his voice.
“The noise called the police to the place, and one of the robbers was secured.