THE EIGHTH CHAPTER

ARE YOU A GOOD NOTICER?

JUST at that moment Polynesia came into the room and said
something to the Doctor in bird language. Of course I did not
understand what it was. But the Doctor at once put down his knife
and fork and left the room.

"You know it is an awful shame," said the parrot as soon as the
Doctor had closed the door. "Directly he comes back home, all
the animals over the whole countryside get to hear of it and
every sick cat and mangy rabbit for miles around comes to see him
and ask his advice. Now there's a big fat hare outside at the
back door with a squawking baby. Can she see the Doctor,
please!--Thinks it's going to have convulsions. Stupid little
thing's been eating Deadly Nightshade again, I suppose. The
animals are SO inconsiderate at times--especially the mothers.
They come round and call the Doctor away from his meals and wake
him out of his bed at all hours of the night. I don't know how
he stands it--really I don't. Why, the poor man never gets any
peace at all! I've told him time and again to have special hours
for the animals to come. But he is so frightfully kind and
considerate. He never refuses to see them if there is anything
really wrong with them. He says the urgent cases must be seen at
once."