Page 65 - Lavender-B-5

‘We’ll have to leave this house,’ declared Grandmother. ‘If we stay here much longer,
both Ken and Minnie will have nervous breakdowns.’

‘I thought Aunt Minnie broke down long ago,’ I said.

‘None of your cheek!’ snapped Aunt Minnie. Did you find

‘Anyway, I agree about changing the house,’ I said breezily. ‘I Pret a bit humorous?
can’t even do my homework. The ink-bottle is always empty.’ Give incidents that
Just a Minute!
made you think so.
‘There was ink in the soup last night.’ That came from life skill critical and logical thinking
Grandfather.

And so, a few days and several disasters later, we began moving to a new house.

Two bullock-carts laden with furniture and heavy luggage were sent ahead. The roof of
the old car was piled high with bags and kitchen utensils. Everyone squeezed into the
car, and Grandfather took the driver’s seat.

We were barely out of the gate when we heard a

peculiar sound, as if someone was chuckling and
talking to himself on the roof of the car.

‘Is the parrot out there on the luggage-rack?’
the query came from Grandfather.

‘No, he’s in the cage on one of the bullock-
carts,’ said Grandmother.

Grandfather stopped the car, got out, and
took a look at the roof.

‘Nothing up there,’ he said, getting in again
and starting the engine. ‘I’m sure I heard the

parrot talking.’

Grandfather had driven some way up the road
when the chuckling started again, followed by
a squeaky little voice.

nervous breakdown: a period of intense We all heard it. It was the Pret talking to itself.
mental distress
none of your cheek: an expression to ‘Let’s go, let’s go!’ it squeaked gleefully. ‘A new
tell someone that they are rude and
direspectful house. I can’t wait to see it. What fun we’re going
snapped: spoke in a sharp unfriendly way to have!’
squeaky: making a very high sound —Ruskin Bond
gleefully: when someone is really happy
and excited about something

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