She was so
fond of pets of all kinds, that she never thought of being afraid of
them. At the same time, she never laid her hand suddenly on any animal.
She held out her fingers and talked gently, so that if it wished to come
to her it could. She looked at the parrot as if she loved it, and the
queer little thing walked right up and nestled its head against the lace
in the front of her dress. "Pretty lady," she said, in a cracked
whisper, "give Bella a kiss."
The boys were so pleased with this and set up such a shout, that their
mother came into the room and said they had better take the parrot out
to the stable. Bella seem to enjoy the fun. "Come on, boys," she
screamed, as Henry Smith lifted her on his finger. "Ha, ha, ha--come on,
let's have some fun. Where's the guinea pig? Where's Davy, the rat?
Where's pussy? Pussy, pussy, come here. Pussy, pussy, dear, pretty
puss."
Her voice was shrill and distinct, and very like the voice of an old
woman who came to the house for rags and bones. I followed her out to
the stable, and stayed there until she noticed me and screamed out, "Ha,
Joe, Beautiful Joe! Where's your tail? Who cut your ears off?"
I don't think it was kind in the cabin boy to teach her this, and I
think she knew it teased me, for she said it over and over again, and
laughed and chuckled with delight.
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