The Mischievous Parrot. 
97 
How he overheard the scolding Aunt Mary administered 
to lane, the housemaid, no one knew, but he not only heard it- 
he heard Jane say to cook : 
•' 1 \vi>li to .goodness mistress could be changed into a 
scarecrow ! "' 
lellico thought this a huge joke, and he simply shouted it 
all over the house till Aunt Mary was in despair. 
" I don't know what to do," she said to the vicar. 
" W henever I ask my friends to tea he begins saying it, and 
nothing will stop him. What can I do ?" 
" 1 know, Miss Prichard," said the vicar, in his cheery 
way. " We will put my parrot with him for a bit. He will soon 
teach him something better." 
So the vicar's bird, (ieneral Booth, came to stay with 
lellico, and, to Aunt Mary's delight, they seemed to get on 
splendidly together. 
" Our plan has been a great success, vicar," she said, 
when he came to call upon her at the end of a fortnight. " They 
are the best of friends, and I have not heard Jellico say anything 
naughty for nearly a week. Will you come in and see them? 
I know they will be glad to have a talk with you." 
As they reached the dining room Jellico winked at Gen- 
eral Booth, then, cocking his head, he said, in his loud, clear 
voice : 
I wish to goodness mistress could be changed into a 
scarecrow." 
" For ever and ever. Amen!" said General Booth 
gravely. 
( )h ! " cried .\unt .Mary, in horror, and as for the vicar, 
he burst out laughing, " It's no good, ]\Iiss Prichard," he said. 
They are too clever for us by far." 
