Polynesia crept in, very softly, and got under
the bed.

Then she coughed--just the way Doctor
Dolittle used to cough. Polynesia could mimic
any one.

The King opened his eyes and said sleepily:
"Is that you, Ermintrude?" (He thought it
was the Queen come back from the dance.)

Then the parrot coughed again--loud, like a
man. And the King sat up, wide awake, and
said, "Who's that?"

"I am Doctor Dolittle," said the parrot--just
the way the Doctor would have said it.

"What are you doing in my bedroom?" cried
the King. "How dare you get out of prison!
Where are you?--I don't see you."

But the parrot just laughed--a long, deep
jolly laugh, like the Doctor's.

"Stop laughing and come here at once, so I
can see you," said the King.

"Foolish King!" answered Polynesia. "Have
you forgotten that you are talking to John