But I finally brought her around, by promising to paint it and make it
as pretty as possible. She'll forget its real nature after a while,
and I shall always value it greatly for its historical interest."

Sara's mind was distracted toward the close of this explanation by the
peculiar, not to say angry, behavior of the Popinjay and the Squawk,
who, she was sure, had become displeased about something. One
peculiarity of the Popinjay's she had not noticed until she came near
the table. It was that, though he had two perfectly good feet, they
seemed to have grown to a sort of perch, which was fastened crosswise
to a sharp peg; and when he wished to move he had to hop from place to
place, sticking this peg into the snow. He was now hopping round and
round the table with loud, incoherent cries, while the little When
flitted from place to place to keep out of his way, and the Snicker
laughed softly in his yellow satin sleeve. Sara touched Pirlaps on the
arm.

"Mercy me!" cried Pirlaps, speaking softly, but forgetting in his
excitement to cover his mouth with his hand. "The table is quite empty,
and Avrillia has not come with the rest of the suet! Yassuh should
have brought more crumbs long ago. Let's go to the house and see
what's the trouble, Sara!"

They hurried to the house, and began looking everywhere. They even
opened the door of Avrillia's own bed-room, which was upholstered
entirely in pink morning-glory satin, with hangings of opalescent mist;
Sara thought it was quite the most ravishing place she had ever seen;
at least she though so until Pirlaps distractedly led her down into
the basement to Avrillia's kitchen. A smell of something delectable
scorching enveloped them as they opened the door. And there beside the