nt,
else the maid had not dared to do such a thing. But I had not learned to
bear insults quietly then, and was young and hot-headed, so, thirsting
for revenge, I screamed out what Tom had taught me:

'How happy you shall be
With your bold soldier boy!'

How frightened she did look, to be sure! Up she came to the cage, and in
the most coaxing voice said, 'Pretty Polly! would Polly like some fresh
bread and milk?--Oh, please, madam, wait till I get Polly some food! Her
dish is quite empty, poor, dear bird!' and away she flew to fetch me
some.

"'Why, what's Polly saying, Emma, about a soldier?' said my mistress
solemnly. 'Now, you know I abhor soldiers.'

"'How happy you shall be!
Come with me--you shall see
Your bold soldier boy!'

I sang out again, dancing about my perch in great delight at the
mischief I was causing.

"'Emma, what do I hear?' said my mistress. 'Have you still anything to
do with that soldier, after what I said?'

"And now I began to feel sorry for poor Emma, who fell a-crying, and
held up her hands in despair or entreaty. Then I thought to myself, what
good had my revenge done me? So hoping to help her out of the
difficulty, I called out, 'Tom, Tom, Tom! Come here, sir! Oh fie!'

"Tom was at the door waiting for our mistress, I knew; and being a
kind-hearted lad, he came in at once; and seeing Emma in tears, and
hearing the story, told he had taught me the song, and she knew nothing
about it. Though my mistress said she was satisfied with Tom's
explanation, she was still angry, and ordered poor Emma to take off her
finery and remain at home. After she was gone, Emma took my cage into
the garden, where I was often allowed to remain for hours. But I was
very much surprised when she took me out and allowed me to sit on her
hand, much to little Dido the Italian grayhound's indignation, for he
was always a jealous animal. I really believe she wanted me to fly away
then and there. But, as I told you before, Master Herbert, I never was
of a restless turn, and had no ambition to leave my home. Seeing this,
she gave me a great twist by the toes to put me back into the cage; but
as she pinched me very hard, I tried, in self-defence, to bite her, and
in the scuffle she broke a piece of my toe off, which has never grown on
again. But whenever I look at it I am reminded, if revenge is sweet, it
doesn't escape without something bitter too; and Miss Emma no doubt felt
the same, because I le