t close at hand, and low upon the ground, as from persons lying down
in hiding.

'Bless my heart!' said Bob, striking his head as though it were some
enemy's: 'why, 'tis my luggage. I'd quite forgot it!'

'What!' asked his father.

'My luggage. Really, if it hadn't been for Mrs. Garland it would have
stayed there all night, and they, poor things! would have been starved.
I've got all sorts of articles for ye. You go inside, and I'll bring 'em
in. 'Tis parrots that you hear a muttering, Mrs. Garland. You needn't
be afraid any more.'

'Parrots?' said the miller. 'Well, I'm glad 'tis no worse. But how
couldst forget so, Bob?'

The packages were taken in by David and Bob, and the first unfastened
were three, wrapped in cloths, which being stripped off revealed three
cages, with a gorgeous parrot in each.

'This one is for you, father, to hang up outside the door, and amuse us,'
said Bob. 'He'll talk very well, but he's sleepy to-night. This other
one I brought along for any neighbour that would like to have him. His
colours are not so bright; but 'tis a good bird. If you would like to
have him you are welcome to him,' he said, turning to Anne, who had been
tempted forward by the birds. 'You have hardly spoken yet, Miss Anne,
but I recollect you very well. How much taller you have got, to be
sure!'

Anne said she was much obliged, but did not know what she could do with
such a present. Mrs. Garland accepted it for her, and the sailor went
on--'Now this other bird I hardly know what to do with; but I dare say
he'll come in for something or other.'

'He is by far the prettiest,' said the widow. 'I would rather have it
than the other, if you don't mind.'

'Yes,' said Bob, with embarrassment. 'But the fact is, that bird will
hardly do for ye, ma'am. He's a hard swearer, to tell the truth; and I
am afraid he's too old to be broken of it.'

'How dreadful!' said Mrs. Garland.

'We could keep him in the mill,' suggested the miller. 'It won't matter
about the grinder hearing him, for he can't learn to cuss worse than he
do already!'

'The grinder shall have him, then,' said Bob. 'The one I have given you,
ma'am, has no harm in him at all. You might take him to church o'
Sundays as far as that goes.'

The sailor now untied a small wooden box about a foot square, perforated
with holes. 'Here are two marmosets,' he continued. 'You can't see them
to-night; but they are beauties--the tufted sort.'