"The children, playing in the woods, heard your parrot calling, and thought it was a lost child," said Mrs. Bunker. "Did he get out of his cage?" "That's what he did," said Mr. William Hixon, or "Bill," as his neighbors called him. "He got out early this morning, and I've been looking for him ever since. I followed along through these woods, because a man said he had seen a green bird flying about in here, and, surely enough, I heard my Polly singing out about being lost, and wanting some one to come and get her. She always begs that way when she gets lost." "We heard her," said Laddie. "But I thought it was a little boy." "And I thought it was a little girl," added Violet. Mun Bun and Margy didn't say anything. They just stood and looked at the green parrot on Mr. Hixon's finger. The bird seemed happy now, and bent its head over toward its owner. "She wants it scratched," said Mr. Hixon. "Well, I'll be nice to you now, but I won't like you if you get out of your cage again," he said. "She can open the door herself," he explained to Grandma Bell and Mrs. Bunker. "She talks very plainly for a parrot," said Grandma Bell. "I remember the day the six little Bunkers first came, and Polly was in the back of the auto. We thought it was a child then." "Yes, Polly is a good talker," said Mr. Hixon, who lived not far from Grandma Bell's. "But I think I'll have to get her a new cage so she can't get out. It keeps me busy chasing after her." "Polly wants a cracker! Polly wants a sweet cracker!" chanted the parrot. "Well, you'll get a sour one if you aren't good!" said Mr. Hixon, with a laugh. "I'm sorry my parrot fooled you, and made you think a child was lost in the woods," he went on. "Oh, that's all right," said Mother Bunker. "We didn't mind hunting, and we're glad no one was lost." "How are all the six little Bunkers?" asked the owner of the green parrot, as he started for his home. "Well, these four, as you see, are fine," said Grandma Bell. "The other two, Russ and Rose, are playing steamboat on the lake. But I am going to lose them all." "Lose them all!" cried Mr. Hixon. "How's that?" "We are going to pay a visit to Mr. Bunker's sister, who lives in Boston," explained Mrs. Bunker. "She wrote and asked us to come, and this is our last week at Grandma Bell's." "Well, I'm sure we'll miss the six little Bunkers when they go," said Mr. Hixon. "Indeed we shall!" said Grandma Bell. "But they are coming to see me again." "We love it here," put in Vi. "And we've had lots of fun," added Margy. "Maybe we'll have fun at Aunt Jo's," said Laddie. "I'm sure you will. I guess you could have fun anywhere, you six," said Mr. Hixon with a laugh. "Well, good-bye, if I don't see you again!" "Good-bye!" said the others. "Good-bye," echoed the parrot. Grandma Bell, Mother Bunker and the four children went back to the shady cove of the lake. "Where'd you go?" asked Russ and Rose, who were walking along to meet them.