to strangers, but
exceedingly jealous of infants, from seeing them caressed.

"He was remarkably fond of music, and danced to all lively tunes, moving
his wings, and also his head, backward and forward, to keep time. If
any person sang or played a wrong measure, he stopped instantly. When
his quick scent announced the time of meals, he ran up and down the
pole, uttering a pleasing note of request.

"When any food was given him of which he was not very fond, he took it
in his left claw, ate a little, and threw the rest down; but if the
variety was nice and abundant, after eating what he wished, he
carefully conveyed the remainder to his tin pail, saving it for another
occasion.

"Every Friday a scissors grinder came and worked under his window. After
listening attentively, Poll tried to imitate the sound with his throat,
but could not succeed. He then struck his beak against the perch; but
his quick ear discerned a difference. Finally he succeeded by drawing
his claw in a particular way across the tin perch, and repeated the
performance of grinding every Friday, much to the amusement of those who
saw him."

Minnie was so much interested in these stories that she quite forgot her
grief, until her mother opened the library door to tell her that her pet
was beginning to sing.

Minnie flew to see her, and before noon had the pleasure of knowing that
Poll was quite recovered. Indeed, she had never seemed more gay. She
hopped first on one foot and then on the other, in curious imitation of
a polka dance, tossing her head on one side in a most coquettish manner.

Then she talked and laughed with Minnie, exclaiming every now and then
in a cunning tone, "What are you about, you rogue? O, you little rogue!"

The little girl was delighted. She held Poll on her lap, caressing her
fondly, and calling her by all sorts of endearing and funny names.

The parrot on her part seemed desirous of showing her gratitude for
relief from pain by doing all she could to please her little friend. She
often heard the cook calling Tom, who was apt to run to the barn when
she wanted him; and she began in a loud, impatient tone, "Tom!" her
voice rising; then again, "Tom!" falling inflection; "Tom!" again; "I
say, Tom; come here, you rascal!"

Finding this made Minnie laugh heartily, she began to call, "Leo, come
here! Lie down, sir! Tiney, Tiney," in a small, fine voice, like the
child's; "Tiney, Tiney, Tiney! O, you little rogue!"

After t