She went to find out.
Fred was a small boy of six who lived just round the corner.
He often talked about his wonderful parrot. ‘My father gave it to me,’ he said.
‘Make it talk,’ Matilda said now.
‘You can’t make it talk,’ said Fred.
But suddenly the parrot said, ‘Hello, hello, hello!’
‘That’s wonderful!’ said Matilda.
‘Dead man’s dinner! Dead man’s dinner!’ said the bird, this time with a voice like a ghost.
‘He’s always saying that,’ said Fred.
‘Can I borrow him, just for one night?’ she asked.
‘All right,’ said Fred. ‘But you must promise to bring him back tomorrow.’