“And it came on to rain,” added Mrs Coo, “and we did not wish to be wet and draggle-tailed for our first visit.”
“No, it would have been a pity,” said Mary, “and you are both looking so pretty. I could fancy you had got all new feathers. I never noticed before, how very white your neck ones are, just like beautiful clean collars. And what pretty rainbowy colours you have below them.”
Both the Cooies cocked their heads on one side; they liked to be admired.
“You have never seen us to advantage before,” said Mrs Coo. “Near a town it is impossible to keep one’s feathers so fresh.”
“Talking of white feathers,” began Mr Coo, but he stopped suddenly, as just then the breakfast-bell rang. “We will come again,” he said, “we have a great deal to tell you, Mary.”
“We want to do all we can to make you enjoy yourself,” said Mrs Coo.
“How kind of you!” said Mary. “And when will you come again?”
“I think,” said Mr Coo, “the best plan will be for us to have a signal. We roost very near here. If you stand at the window and say ‘cooie, cooie,’ we are pretty sure to hear you.”
“All right,” said Mary, “and thank you so much. I wonder what you are going to tell me about white feathers.”
She ran off, and the Cooies flew away.