But, oh! if you could tell those pretty young ladies how I should like to walk about their garden with them, how pleased I should be.' "I bowed to her in token of understanding what she said, but I was not sure that she noticed it, for she just went on chattering in her soft little voice.
"'Poor old raven,' she said.

'What a pity you can't speak, for if you could I might send a message by you to those pretty young ladies;' and though I walked slowly backwards and forwards on the balcony, and bowed most politely each time I passed her, yet she did not seem to understand." "Why didn't you speak ?" interrupted Jeanne.

"You can speak quite well to Cheri and me.

Had you not learned to speak at that time, Dudu ?" The raven hemmed and hawed and cleared his throat.
"It is not to the point, Mademoiselle," he said, "to enter into all these explanations.

If you would have the goodness to let me continue my reminiscences without interrupting me, I should really be obliged.