"James, if you don't go at once, _I_ must. You know the nursery door
is always left open, and if that horrid thing should get in to
baby----"
"But, my dear," said I, "what am I to do in my present defenceless
state of clothing, if he should take to pecking?"
My wife's expression of contempt at the idea of considering myself
before the baby determined me at once, come what might, to go and do
him battle. Out I went, and there, sure enough, he was on the
landing resting himself after his unusual exertion by tucking up one
leg. He looked so subdued that I was about to take him by the string
and lead him downstairs, when he drew back his head, and in less time
than it takes to relate, I was back in my room, bleeding from a
severe wound in the leg. I shouted out to the nurse to shut the door,
and determined to let the infamous bird go where he liked. I bound up
my leg and went to bed again; but the thought that there was a stork
wandering about the house prevented me from getting any more sleep.
From certain sounds that we heard, we had little doubt that he was
spending some of his time in the cupboard where we kept our surplus
crockery, and an inspection the next day confirmed this.
In the morning I ventured cautiously out, and finding he was in our
spare bedroom, I shut the door upon him. I then sent for a large
sack, and with the help of the tablecloth, and the boy who cleans our
boots, we got him into it without any further personal damage. I took
him off in this way to the station, and confided him and the parrot
to the guard of the early train. As the train moved off, I heard a
yell and a very improper expression from the guard. I have reason to
believe that the stork had freed himself from the wrapper, and had
begun pecking again.
We have determined that, taking our chance about a place in my
uncle's will, we will never again have anything to do with any
foreign birds, however much he may ask and desire it.