He shook his head. “Not at all. I’ve always known I had siblings. I just assumed my parents were punishing me for being different. I’m very smart, you see.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard,” she replied. “But wasn’t meeting Arthur a shock to your system? Seeing someone who looks just like you?”
He picked up his plate holding a piece of marmalade cake. Taking a bite, he put his fork back on the plate. “Yes. Not as shocked as I thought I’d be, but then they say everyone has at least one person in the world who looks like them.”
“That’s scary,” Daphne said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sam climb down from his cage and begin to walk towardsthem. Charles had seen Sam’s actions but seemed to be content watching the parrot.
“Your bird is walking across the floor,” he finally said uncomfortably.
“He does that often. He likes to follow me around the house when he can. Sam also does it for attention.”
Glancing at Daphne and then the bird, Charles didn’t appear too happy with the idea. “You allow him near food we eat?”
“It’s not like he gets on the table and begins eating.”
“That may be, but he still has an opportunity should he decide that’s what he wants,” Charles insisted.
Daphne smiled and put down her teacup. “I can assure you that won’t happen, but if it’ll make you more comfortable, I can put him in his cage.”
“If you don’t mind,” he replied.
“Of course not.”
He watched as his sister-in-law stood and walked a couple of steps before bending and putting her arm out to the parrot. The bird jumped on without a word. That all changed the minute Daphne put him at the door of his cage and closed the door behind him. Sam began screeching and trying to flap his wings from the cramped interior of the cage.
“I didn’t know he’d be so upset,” Charles said, watching the bird continue his tantrum.
“He associates his cage as a place to go if we’re not here or it’s time to go to bed. Putting him in during the middle of the day can cause him some confusion.”
“I don’t wish to cause him discomfort,” Charles said.
“He’ll settle down. I promise. He thinks the attention will get sympathy from someone and he’ll get out.”
“Smart.”
“They are that.”
“Has anyone studied them as far as their abilities? It would be fascinating to know where and how he learned to talk.”
“The only thing I know for sure is he learned a lot of naughty words on the ship that brought him to us.”
“Don’t you wonder if he understands his actions?”
“Not particularly,” Daphne replied.
Charles rose from his chair and walked across the room where he stood to observe Sam. “I wonder if the fact he’s upset might have something to do with the fact I look like Arthur, but do not act like him.”
Daphne’s hand flew to her mouth for a moment, clearly shocked by his statement. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought about that. It’s entirely possible he’s confused.”
“The theory can be tested once Arthur arrives.”
“You mean the two of you approach Sam to see his reaction?”
Charles nodded. He was still standing in the same position near the cage, watching Sam watch him. “Precisely.”
“Arthur should be here shortly so we can test your theory.”
He said nothing but turned away from the cage and walked back to his chair where Daphne was refreshing his tea. He picked up his empty plate and chose two sandwiches and a raspberry tart.
