nk of upon the table, and then added everything
the Chief could think of, had assiduously poured out two cups of tea and
withdraw by request. The two men ate steadily, conversing between bites,
and interrupted occasionally by a hoarse and sepulchral voice, the owner
of which, being much exercised by the sight of the food, asked for it,
prettily at first, and afterwards in a way which at least compelled
attention.

"That's pretty good for a parrot," said the Third critically. "Seems to
know what he's saying too. No, don't give it anything. It'll stop if you
do."

"There's no pleasure to _me_ in listening to coarse language," said the
Chief with dignity.

He absently dipped a piece of bread and butter in the Third's tea,
and losing it chased it round and round the bottom of the cup with his
finger, the Third regarding the operation with an interest and emotion
which he was at first unable to understand.

"You'd better pour yourself out another cup," he said thoughtfully as he
caught the Third's eye.

"I'm going to," said the other dryly.

"The man I bought it of," said the Chief, giving the bird the sop, "said
that it was a perfectly respectable parrot and wouldn't know a bad word
if it heard it. I hardly like to give it to my wife now."

"It's no good being too particular," said the Third, regarding the other
with an ill-concealed grin, "that's the worst of all you young married
fellows. Seem to think your wife has got to be wrapped up in brown
paper. Ten chances to one she'll be amused."

The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. "I bought the bird to be
company for her," he said slowly, "she'll be very lonesome without me,
Rogers."

"How do you know?" inquired the other.

"She said so," was the reply.

"When you've been married as long as I have," said the Third, who having
been married some fifteen years felt that their usual positions were
somewhat reversed, "you'll know that generally speaking they're glad to
get rid of you."

"What for?" demanded the Chief in a voice that Othello might have
envied.

"Well, you get in the way a bit," said Rogers with secret enjoyment,
"you see you upset the arrangements. House-cleaning and all that sort of
thing get interrupted. They're glad to see you back at first, and then
glad to see the back of you."

"There's wives and wives," said the bridegroom tenderly.

"And mine's good one," said the Third, "registered A 1 at Lloyds', but
she don't worry about me