Page 216 - Adventures in shadow-land

lt I won’ t,” said the old professor, snapping and
switching his tail angrily ictmd in the water, for

the houses there are full of water, as ours are of
air.

" 1 didn't say you would, sir/' said the young
merman; i l l said you’d better."

lt Did you ever know me say I would do a thing
when X did?” returned the professor, angrily.

(< I mean, did you ever know me say I did do a
thing when I would ? P ooh ! Pshaw! That

isn’t what I mean,”
“ Yes, sir I” said his grandson, respectfully.

"W h at do you mean by that?” said the profes­
sor, sharply, “ There’s that catfish mewing at the

door. Get up and let heT in, do, and make your­
self useful for once in your Jife.”

The young merman got upand opened the door
for the catfish, which came swimming in, followed

by two little kitten fish* These, frisking playfully
around the room, soon overset the professor's ink-

stand,
"T h ere I” said the professor to his grandson.

“ That’s all your fault 1 What did you Jet them
in for? Open the windows and let in some fresh