The parrot’s interruptions were shameful and scandalous. When Miss Adrian was there he had to be quieted with lumps of sugar. He rarely swore before her. Gertie was very thankful for that. The parrot only swore as a rule at grandfather. But Polly interrupted lessons; in fact, she took part in them. When Miss Ruth, by constant repetition, had impressed upon Gertie that England was an island, surrounded by water, the parrot said ‘Humbug,’ and persisted in saying ‘Humbug.’ Gertie apologised for Polly’s rudeness, and hoped her mistress would look over it, and Ruth laughed merrily and told her it was Polly’s bad bringing up. Then, again, when Gertie repeated the multiplication table, and said, ‘Twice one is two,’ Polly would shriek out ‘Gammon.’ ‘Humbug’ and ‘gammon’ were the mildest words in Polly’s vocabulary. Doubtless she selected them for the occasion in deference to Miss Adrian. When her mistress was gone Gertie would lecture Polly severely. ‘Polly,’ she said, one day, with tears in her eyes, ‘unless you repent you’ll go to the bad place. You must have a new heart, Polly. Oh, Polly, why are you so wicked?’ ‘Humbug,’ shrieked Polly, with a chuckle. ‘But you _are_ wicked, Polly; and nothing that’s wicked can be happy. Miss Adrian says so.’ ‘Gammon,’ shrieked Polly. Gertie gave Polly up in despair, and turned to Lion for comfort. He at least was good, and did not swear and use bad words. ‘Look at Lion, Polly, what an example he sets you,’ exclaimed Gertie one day in despair. ‘Lion’s a——’ ‘Humbug,’ interrupted the Satanic bird. ‘He’s not a humbug, Polly,’ cried the child, stamping her little foot. ‘He’s a dear, kind, loving dog. But we forgive you, because we must forgive our enemies. Miss Adrian says so.’ ‘Gammon, said the bird; and then suddenly it leapt about the cage, shrieking and swearing so fiercely that Gertie seized Lion by the collar and led him out of the room, offering up a little prayer as she went that Polly might see the error of her ways before she died and was utterly lost. During Heckett’s illness the lessons had been abandoned, but from time to time Gertie had exchanged greetings with her kind teacher at the door. When the old man got well enough to be about, he began to go out as usual, and Gertie was delighted to think she could renew her studies and the happy times with Miss Adrian. One visit, which was paid a few days after Heckett’s renewal of his old habits, was fraught with consequences so serious to all concerned that it will require a chapter to itself. CHAPTER X. IN WHICH GRIGG AND LIMPET EXPLAIN. Time?’ asked Grigg. ‘Eleven,’ said Limpet, looking at his watch.