"What is it?" she exclaimed, in a low tone.
A slight color went up to his hair. "Is anything the matter? Were you listening to Astry's parrot? It's screaming like a banshee."
She took the glass mechanically, shaking her head with a smile, and at that moment the parrot began to shriek in the conservatory.
"Eva, Eva!" it called.
The voice was so human and so shrill that the group about the card-table looked up startled.
"By godfrey, I thought it was fire!" said Dr. Macclesfield.
Young Mrs. Astry rose from her chair. "I hate parrots," she said, so abruptly that Sidney Billop dropped his glass.
Astry smiled. "I like them," he retorted. "Sidney, you'll step on the glass if you wobble so."
"Eva," shrieked the parrot, coming nearer and then, with discordant laughter: "you're a liar!"
Eva looked over her shoulder. "Merci du compliment," she mocked. "How charming! Johnstone, do get another parrot."