Only Hec did not seem as much interested and delighted as the others. He
just glanced at the cage and then subsided again to his bread and honey.

"What's the matter with Hec?" said Cousin Magdalen. "He doesn't look as
bright as usual, does he, Martin?"

"He's been very quiet all the afternoon," said Martin, "but I don't
think he can be ill. He's eaten a good tea, hasn't he, Miss Maudie?"

"_Very_," said Maudie. "Three big slices first--only with butter, you
know, and then six with honey. We always have to eat three plain first,
on honey days," she added by way of explanation to her cousin.

"_Nine_ slices," said Magdalen, opening her eyes. "Martin, isn't that
enough to make him ill?"

"Bless you, no, Miss," said Martin, laughing. "As long as it's bread and
butter, there's not much fear."

"Or bread and honey," corrected Hoodie. "One day Duke and Hec and
me--Maudie wasn't there--one day Duke and Hec and me eatened firty-two
slices--Martin counted. It was when we was at the seaside."

"My dear Hoodie!" exclaimed Magdalen, and the astonishment on her face
made them all laugh.

The consumption of bread and butter and honey seemed however over for
the present, so Magdalen led the way to her own room, followed by Hoodie
carrying the precious cage which she would entrust to no other hands,
Maudie, the twins, and Martin bringing up the rear.

Magdalen opened the door and crossed the room, which was a large one, to
the side window, on the writing-table, in front of which, she had left
the basket containing the bird. She had placed it carefully, with a
little circle of books round it to prevent the bird's fluttering
knocking it over. As she came near the table, she gave an exclamation of
surprise and vexation. The circle of books was still there undisturbed,
but the basket was no longer in the centre--indeed, at the first glance
Magdalen could not see it at all.

"Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "Where can the basket be? Hoodie, you _surely_
didn't touch it?"

The moment she had said the words she regretted them--but just at first
she had not time to look at Hoodie to see how she had taken them, for
another glance at the table showed her the basket peeping up behind the
edge where it had slipped down, though fortunately the table was pushed
too near the wall for it to have fallen quite on to the floor.

Magdalen darted forward and carefully drew out the basket, in
considerable fear and trembling as to the state of the li