the bird at last, "that you are not of a scientific turn of mind?" 

"I don't know," said David. "I'm interested in things, if that's what you mean." 

"No, it is not. There is a great deal of difference between the interest shown by normal people and the obsessive interest of scientists. You are not, I hope, acquainted with any scientists?" 

"No." 

"Ah," said the bird, with a relieved sigh. "Everything is quite all right, then. I do hope that you will forgive my behavior. I am not usually so rude. The fact is that you gave me quite a horrible start." 

"Oh, I'm sorry I frightened you." 

"Frightened, my dear fellow?" said the bird testily. "I am never frightened. I do not know the meaning of the word." 

"What I mean is," David said quickly, "that you frightened _me_." This seemed to pacify the bird; and David, to heighten the good impression, added: "Golly, you looked fierce." 

The bird smiled complacently, "I _can_ rise to a terrifying ferocity when aroused. A noble strain of fighting blood courses through my veins. Not that I go out of my way to seek quarrels, you understand. On the contrary. 'Peaceful' could well describe my general attitude. Meditative. I am usually to be found Thinking. I have a powerful intellect. No doubt you have noticed the stamp of genius on my brow." 

David supposed that the bird meant its scarlet crest, and he nodded. "That's one of the first things I noticed about you." 

"Indeed?" cried the bird delightedly. "You are certainly more alert than most! But, as I was saying, I am usually to be found Thinking. The first condition of Thinking is solitude. And that, I fear, is a desideratum most difficult of realization." 

"I beg your pardon?" 

"People," explained the bird, "do not leave you alone." 

"Oh," said David. He flushed, thinking that the words had been aimed at him, and began to get up. But the bird signaled him to remain where he was. 

"I do not mean _you_, my dear fellow. I assure you that I am delighted to make your acquaintance. It is all the others. Do you know that I have spent the greater part of my life being pursued? I was chased out of Egypt like a 

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