noon
He then struck his beak against the perch ; but his quick ear discerned a difference . Finally he succeeded by drawing his claw in a particular way across the tin perch , and repeated the performance of grinding every Friday , much to the amusement of those who saw him . '' Minnie was so much interested in these stories that she quite forgot her grief , until her mother opened the library door to tell her that her pet was beginning to sing . Minnie flew to see her , and before noon had the pleasure of knowing that Poll was quite recovered . Indeed , she had never seemed more gay . She hopped first on one foot and then on the other , in curious imitation of a polka dance , tossing her head on one side in a most coquettish manner . Then she talked and laughed with Minnie , exclaiming every now and then in a cunning tone , `` What are you about , you rogue ?