for the newspaper," said Jerry.

"You'll do no such thing," said his mother. "I agreed to keep the
parrot over the week end. I meant over the week end and no longer."

When their mother spoke in that tone of voice, her children had
learned it was no use to argue.

"I've always wanted a parrot for a pet and here is a good chance to
get one and you turn it down," grumbled Jerry.

"What's the parrot's name?" asked Mr. Martin.

Jerry didn't know. "Can you ask him what his name is in Spanish?" he
asked his father.

Mr. Martin didn't think that would do much good but he could and did
ask the parrot in Spanish what his name was.

There was no response from the parrot.

"Guess you'll have to give him a name," said Mr. Martin.

"Let's call him Pete," suggested Andy.

"Pete's not a Spanish name. He ought to have a Spanish name," said
Cathy.

"I think Pedro's the Spanish for Pete," said Jerry, remembering a
story he had read about a Spanish donkey.

They agreed on Pedro. They all addressed the parrot by name but he
only glared at them with his beady eyes and kept silent.

"Maybe he's dumb," said Andy.

"Maybe he's too young to know how to talk," said Cathy.

"He's not that young," said Jerry.

They were eating dessert--pineapple upside-down cake--when the parrot
beat his wings and said in a strong, hoarse voice, "_Caramba!_"

"What does that mean?" Jerry asked his father.

"It's a Spanish word that they use the same way we say 'Gosh!'"

"_Caramba!_" repeated Jerry.

"_Caramba!_" Andy tried to say, only it came out more like
"_Carimba!_" The way he said it made it sound like a swear word.

"Oh, dear, I hope that bird won't teach the children any bad
language," said Mrs. Martin.

"I somehow doubt if he'll teach them to swear in Spanish over the week
end," said Mr. Martin, with a twinkle in his eye.

Then there began an argument about where the parrot's cage should be
hung. Cathy said it should be in her room because the parrot's color
would go so well with her bedspread and curtains. Jerry said that
naturally the cage should be in his room. He had known the parrot
longest, hadn't he?

"He likes me best. I know he does," declared Andy. "I want him to
sleep with me."

"Maybe the recreation room would be more appropriate," suggested Mr.
Martin.

Mrs. Martin knew where there was a big hook which could be screwed in
over one of the windows. "You can spend as much time down there with
him as you want to