"Did the naughty man go and frighten her then?
Was she afraid of his hand?
Did Polly want a lump of sugar ?" On a sudden the bird opened its eyes quickly with an awakened air, and looked her back in the face, half blindly, half quizzingly.

It preened its wings for a second, and crooned with pleasure.

Then it put forward its neck, with its head on one side, took her dainty finger gently between its beak and tongue, bit it for pure love with a soft, short pressure, and at once allowed her to stroke its back and sides with a very pleased and surprised expression.

The success of her skill flattered Muriel.

"There! it knows me!" she cried, with childish delight; "it understands I'm a friend! It takes to me at once! Pretty Poll! Pretty Poll! Come, Poll, come and kiss me!" The bird drew back at the words, and steadied itself for a moment knowingly on its perch.