Page 219 - Adventures in shadow-land

"V ery well," said the professor. “ Swim away

with you now, and tell the cook to feed these kit­
tens ; there they aie nibbling the hair off my
head.”

The next day the young merman set off 0x1 his
travels. He bade good-bye to no one but his

grandfather and his two sisters. His best friend
was away as bearer of despatches to the secretary
of state.

" I wish he wouldn't go near the coast,11 said
the older sister, wistfully.

“ So do I ,” said the younger; " I ’m afraid for
him. But, sister, now honestly, don't you wish
you could see a human creature near enough to

speak to?”
“ No, not I,” said the elder, who had less of

the family traits than any of her relations; ‘ ‘ I wish
you wouidi^t say such silly things.1'

Just as the young merman was going out of the
front door, he met a huge lobster coming into it,

and without ringing. The young merman felt
that this was a liberty in the lobster, and was sure
that his grandfather would not be pleased.