"Hullo!" said a harsh voice suddenly.
Elsie opened her eyes with a start, and looked round to see who had spoken. There was no one in sight.
"I must have been dreaming," she thought.
"Hullo!" said the voice again—this time just beside her chair.
She glanced down, and there on the lawn stood a large rook, looking up at her out of his black, beady eyes.
"Did you speak?" asked Elsie in astonishment.
"Yes," said the rook. "Do you think I whistled, or what?"
"There is no need to be rude," said Elsie with dignity. "It's only natural I should have been surprised."
"Why?" asked the rook.
"Well, birds aren't supposed to talk."