Page 240 - Adventures in shadow-land

“ ’Cause you hain’t got no wings,” said the

vulgar bird, flapping his own wide white pinions.
“ Why shouldn’t I perch here as well as on any

other post? It’s none of your funeral.”
“ Post!” said the merman, in a fury.

“ Yes, post! Why? You don’t mean to say
you think this thing’s alive?”

“ A live! She is a goddess, a nymph, an angel! * ’
“ Well, you are a muff,” said the gull, with im­

mense contempt. “ If I ever! Look here! if

you don’t want a harpoon in you, you had better
quit.”
“ I'll wring your neck,” said the merman, in a

rage.

“ Skee-ee-eek !” screamed the gull. “ Will you
have it now or wait till you get it? Take your
own way, if you only know what it is and the

gull lifted his wings and swept off over the water,

laughing frantically. The wooden lady kept look­
ing over the sea.
“ What noble composure! what breeding 1”

thought the merman. “ She scorns to notice a

creature like that. How much more noble and
6 * E