The man had repeated this remark to his mistress who, not being
able to keep the bird, took this means of getting rid of it.




CHAPTER IV

THE BIRD


He was called Loulou. His body was green, his head blue, the tips
of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his
feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his
bath. Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Félicité for
good.

She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat:
"Pretty boy! Your servant, sir! I salute you, Marie!" His perch
was placed near the door and several persons were astonished that
he did not answer to the name of "Jacquot," for every parrot is
called Jacquot. They called him a goose and a log, and these
taunts were like so many dagger thrusts to Félicité. Strange
stubbornness of the bird which would not talk when people watched
him!

Nevertheless, he sought society; for on Sunday, when the ladies