"
"But couldn't I carry the poor kitten in my arms, she seems to feel
being a prisoner so?" asked Faith, distressed for the pet she loved
already.
"He might scratch you," said the captain, but Beppo shook his head.
"Noa, noa, he gooda; but he getta waya. Dis safa. Betta go cagea."
"Drat the cage!" shouted a hoarse voice, and Faith nearly fell over
backwards, while Hope danced up and down in merry laughter.
"It's my parrot! Oh, father, _does_ he swear? What will we do with
him?"
The captain was silently shaking with merriment, but drew himself
together and turned sternly to the man. "Beppo, you declared that was
a refined, clean-talking bird--now, didn't you? I told you it was for
a young lady."
The man's face fell and he broke into profuse apologies, which grew
more unintelligible as they increased in vehemence. Out of it all they
managed to gather that this was the parrot's worst expression, and only
lately learned of a "badda carpentiera," who had found difficulty in
fashioning the wooden cage he was making, and had used "badda wodda" in
consequence. Hope could scarcely wait till he had finished to cry,
anxiously,
"But, father, it isn't a real swear-word, now, is it? And anyhow we
can teach him to do better. Do, _do_ let me have him!"
Her father gave her a merry glance.
"They say some women really like to hear a man use strong
expressions--now, it can't be you are like that--or is it that you want
somebody to reform, eh? However, if you can stand it I can--sailors
have to get used to such things.
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