Part 2 (1/2)
”Delighted, my dear fellow! An honor and a pleasure” They shook hand and wing sole--?”
”Well, Phoenix, I was just thinking,” David stammered ”It's too bad--I mean, couldn't you--it would be nice if we--Well, do you really _have_ to go to South America? It would be nice if you'd stay a while, until the Scientist shows up, anyway--and I like talking with you”
His face burned It seemed like a lot to ask
The Phoenix harrumphed several times in its throat and shuffled its feet ”Really, I cannot tell you ho htful request! Ah--harrued”
”Oh, Phoenix!” David threw his arms around the bird's neck and then, unable to restrain hirass
”But for the present, it see late,” said the Phoenix
”We shall talk it over some other time and decide”
”Golly, it _is_ late--I hadn't noticed Well, I'll have to go, or they'll worry about me at home But I can come up and see you tomorrow, can't I?”
”Of course, , in the hush of noon, in the--ah--to be brief, at any ti you some cookies, if you like”
”Ah,” said the Phoenix, closing its eyes ”Sugar cookies, by any chance?” it asked faintly David noticed the feathers of its throat ju ht”
”Ah, splendid, my boy! Splendid! Shall we say not more than--ah--that is, not _less_ than--ah--fifteen?”
”All right, Phoenix My Aunt A jar full of cookies, and I can have as ether they strolled to the other end of the ledge
”Now, don't oat trail down this side It is sorown over, but eyes as sharp as yours should have no trouble with it It will --I trust you will not make known our rendezvous?”
”Our what?”
”You will not tell anyone that I am here?”
”Oh, no I won't say a word! Well, I'll see you tomorrow”
”Yes As the French so cleverly say it--ah--well, to be brief, good-by, my boy Until tooat trail, and started down He was too happy even to whistle, so he contented hi whenever he found a level place And when he reached home, he stood on his hands in the back yard for thole seconds
[Illustration]
3: _In Which It Is Decided that David Should Have an Education, and an Experiment Is Made_
[Illustration]
Next day it took less than an hour to reach the ledge, and David was sure that he could shorten the tioat trail