"'It's a nice warm day for the first of September, don't you think?'

"The girl's head once more wagged up and down in assent, but not a word
did she utter. At this a subdued titter came from Frances and Jessica.
Mary Ethel's face grew red and she frowned at them.

"Just at this moment in ran Johnny. He had put on his best suit. His
yellow hair was freshly brushed and his face was wreathed in smiles.
He reminded one of a dancing sunbeam. It was wonderful to see how
quickly he set the social wheel moving in the parlor. In three minutes
he had them all acquainted and talking to each other. At one side I
noticed Naomi and Jessica who were trying to make the parrot talk for
the big girl. Mary Ethel was turning the crank of a small music box,
around which were clustered a group of the stranger children. On a
sofa three or four others had the portfolio of pictures spread out.
Others came to my cage coaxing me to whistle for them, while Johnny
capered hither and thither and joked and had more funny things to say
than anybody in the room. When he let Bessie out of her cage and put
her on the piano to sing the 'Mocking Bird,' the joy of the visitors
knew no bounds.

"'Have you a parrot, Jeannette?' he asked one of the little barefooted
girls, whose dancing black eyes showed how much she enjoyed Bessie's
performance.

"'No, but I have two lovely cats.' She made the announcement as if
very proud of their ownership.

"'I have a cat too. He dresses in black and wears long white