"
Arthur laughed at the remembrance of the boomerang story, but then
looked grave again, and said, "He'll convert all the island, I know."
"Yes, if he don't blow it up first."
"Do you remember, Tom, how you and East used to laugh at him and chaff
him, because he said he was sure the rooks all had calling-over or
prayers, or something of the sort, when the locking-up bell rang? Well,
I declare," said Arthur, looking up seriously into Tom's laughing eyes,
"I do think he was right. Since I've been lying here, I've watched them
every night; and, do you know, they really do come and perch, all of
them, just about locking-up time; and then first there's a regular
chorus of caws; and then they stop a bit, and one old fellow, or perhaps
two or three in different trees, caw solos; and then off they all go
again, fluttering about and cawing anyhow till they roost."
"I wonder if the old blackies do talk," said Tom, looking up at them.
"How they must abuse me and East, and pray for the Doctor for stopping
the slinging!"
"There! look, look!" cried Arthur; "don't you see the old fellow without
a tail coming up? Martin used to call him the 'clerk.' He can't steer
himself. You never saw such fun as he is in a high wind, when he can't
steer himself home, and gets carried right past the trees, and has to
bear up again and again before he can perch.
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