Page 239 - Adventures in shadow-land

" Hallo I” said the sea-gull to the merman,
“ what ait you up to, young man?”

The merman was disgusted and made no answer.
“ You’d better clear out of this,” said the gull.

" I f they catch you, they'll make a show of you
and wheel you round the streets in a tub of water

for sixpence a sight.’ *
"B e so good as to reserve your anxiety for your

own affairs/* said the merman, haughtily. He
had always been sweet-tempered, but now he feh

as if he must have a quarrel with some one. He
had a general impression that every living creature

was his rival and enemy. He didn’t just know
what he wanted, but he was determined to have it*

"H ighty tighty!1' said the sea-gull. "D o n ’t

put yourself out. What have we here ? A pretty
wooden image, upon my word!" and the gull
perched on the sea-nymph’s head and scratched'

his ear with one claw. The merman went almost

wild at the sight*
"Y o u profane wretch !’* he shouted; "how
dare you? Oh, good heavens, that I should see

her so insulted and not be able to help her. Oil,

why can’t I fly?1*