"Why don't some of the animals go and see the other doctors?" I
asked.

"Oh Good Gracious!" exclaimed the parrot, tossing her head
scornfully. "Why, there aren't any other animal-doctors--not real
doctors. Oh of course there ARE those vet persons, to be sure.
But, bless you, they're no good. You see, they can't understand
the animals' language; so how can you expect them to be any use?
Imagine yourself, or your father, going to see a doctor who could
not understand a word you say--nor even tell you in your own
language what you must do to get well! Poof!--those vets!
They're that stupid, you've no idea!--Put the Doctor's bacon down
by the fire, will you?--to keep hot till he comes back."

"Do you think I would ever be able to learn the language of the
animals?" I asked, laying the plate upon the hearth.

"Well, it all depends," said Polynesia. "Are you clever at
lessons?"

"I don't know," I answered, feeling rather ashamed. "You see,
I've never been to school. My father is too poor to send me."

"Well," said the parrot, "I don't suppose you have really missed
much--to judge from what I have seen of school-boys. But listen:
are you a good noticer?--Do you notice things well? I mean, for
instance, supposing you saw two cock-starlings on an apple-tree,
and you only took one good look at them--would you be able to
tell one from the other if you saw them again the next day?"