"I won't!" promptly responded Poll; and he was as good as his word, for as long as we talked he would, although sometimes his speeches were not quite apropos while the ladies were present.
"I don't know how you can change your clothes, ladies," Mr. Wright said, seeing that, they stood in great need of such an arrangement; "the fact of it is, I never had the fortune to have a wife, so women's garments are unknown in my poor house."
"Give 'em men's," shrieked the parrot; "who cares?"
"The first sensible words that you have spoken to-night, Poll," the master exclaimed.
"Is it?" was the brief ejaculation of the bird, as though inclined to doubt the truth of that remark.
"If you will retire to a room that shall be allotted to you during your stay here, I will provide you with such garments as I have. They are dry and clean and you can use them until your own are in proper order. No one will notice the change, for, believe me, we all sympathize too deeply in your misfortunes to feel aught but pity."
"As for myself," replied Nancy, promptly, "I shall feel extremely obliged, for I have worn damp garments so long that I am almost like a mermaid. But this poor thing," pointing to Betsey, "only desires to lay her aching head upon a pillow, and forget her misery."
"Haven't got one in the house," promptly responded Poll.
"She needs food. Let her come to the table after you have made such alterations as are necessary."