"So there's nothing to prevent my giving you the cage. That's very nice," said Magdalen. She lifted the funny-looking parcel on to the table and unfastened the paper. There stood the cage--and such a pretty one! It was painted white and green, and greatly and specially to Hoodie's satisfaction the pointed tops of the pagoda-like roof were gilt. "Didn't I tell you so," she said to Duke in a tone of great superiority, "I told you there'd be goldy points on the top." "Yes," said Duke, much impressed; "I wonder how you knowed, Hoodie?" Hoodie tossed her head. "Knowed, in course I knowed," she said. Only Hec did not seem as much interested and delighted as the others. He just glanced at the cage and then subsided again to his bread and honey. "What's the matter with Hec?" said Cousin Magdalen. "He doesn't look as bright as usual, does he, Martin?" "He's been very quiet all the afternoon," said Martin, "but I don't think he can be ill. He's eaten a good tea, hasn't he, Miss Maudie?" "_Very_," said Maudie. "Three big slices first--only with butter, you know, and then six with honey. We always have to eat three plain first, on honey days," she added by way of explanation to her cousin. "_Nine_ slices," said Magdalen, opening her eyes. "Martin, isn't that enough to make him ill?" "Bless you, no, Miss," said Martin, laughing. "As long as it's bread and butter, there's not much fear." "Or bread and honey," corrected Hoodie. "One day Duke and Hec and me--Maudie wasn't there--one day Duke and Hec and me eatened firty-two slices--Martin counted. It was when we was at the seaside." "My dear Hoodie!" exclaimed Magdalen, and the astonishment on her face made them all laugh. The consumption of bread and butter and honey seemed however over for the present, so Magdalen led the way to her own room, followed by Hoodie carrying the precious cage which she would entrust to no other hands, Maudie, the twins, and Martin bringing up the rear. Magdalen opened the door and crossed the room, which was a large one, to the side window, on the writing-table, in front of which, she had left the basket containing the bird. She had placed it carefully, with a little circle of books round it to prevent the bird's fluttering knocking it over. As she came near the table, she gave an exclamation of surprise and vexation. The circle of books was still there undisturbed, but the basket was no longer in the centre--indeed, at the first glance Magdalen could not see it at all. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "Where can the basket be? Hoodie, you _surely_ didn't touch it?" The moment she had said the words she regretted them--but just at first she had not time to look at Hoodie to see how she had taken them, for another glance at the table showed her the basket peeping up behind the edge where it had slipped down, though fortunately the table was pushed too near the wall for it to have fallen quite on to the floor.