A small youth appeared, who at first seemed rather alarmed, but presently exploded into a half-stifled laugh. "My hat!" he exclaimed. "Here's a go! Why, blessed if it ain't a bird with gloves on--and a tie--oh! what a lark!" "No," said the Dodo, with dignity, "not a lark--your education must have been sadly neglected, my good boy--I'm a Dodo, or _the_ Dodo, in fact." "Well, I never!" said the boy, "if it isn't talking!" "Of course. Why not?" demanded the Dodo. "Oh! oh! this is too good! What may your business be, Mr.--er--Dodo?" "I've come about the situation," said the bird, smoothing his gloves consequentially. The boy exploded into a fit of laughter. "Oh, come in!" he cried. "This is better than a circus--come in--I'll tell the Governor you're here." And the Dodo was ushered into a room where two or three gentlemen were sitting at high desks. "Who is it, Perkins?" said one of the gentlemen. "Some one about the situation, Sir," said Perkins, stuffing his handkerchief into his mouth to prevent himself laughing aloud. The gentlemen all turned around and stared at the Dodo. "Why, it's a bird!" cried one. "Of course it is; what else did you expect I was?" said the Dodo. "Are you A. B. C.?" "No--no," stammered the man. "I'm the Head Clerk, though, and--I----" "I've no time to waste with Head Clerks," said the Dodo. "Just go and tell A. B. C. I'm here, will you?" "But er----" At this moment an inner door opened, and another gentleman stepped into the room. "Whatever is all this noise----" he began, when he caught sight of the Dodo. [Illustration: "Do--o--o not--a--for--r--r--get m--e--e--e"] "Are you A. B. C.?" said the bird, pouncing upon him at once. "Well--really," said the gentleman, "I----" "Don't beat about the bush. Are you A. B. C., or are you not?" demanded the Dodo. "Yes, I am, but----" "Very well, then, I've come to take the situation, and I'll just draw my first week's salary at once, if you please." "But," said the gentleman, with an amused smile, "I must see some of your work first. Perkins, bring the typewriter!" The boy brought the instrument, and placed it on a small table. "Now, then," said the gentleman, motioning the Dodo towards it. "Oh! it's so long since I played," said the Dodo, smirking bashfully, "I think I have almost forgotten my notes; however, I'll try." And, throwing his head back, he shrieked out in a discordant voice-- "_Do--o--o not--a--for--r--r--get m--e--e--e_!" banging on the keys at the same time with both pinions. "Here! Stop! Stop!" called out the gentleman; "you'll break it! _That's_ not the way to do typewriting." "No?" said the Dodo, innocently. "I thought it was a kind of piano. I was singing to you, you know." "Oh! were you?" remarked the gentleman. "Well, don't do it again, please. I can see you won't do for us as typewriter," he added; "but perhaps I can get you a good situation at the Zoological Gardens. What do you say to that, eh?"