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THE WATER BABIES she was so ugly that Tom was tempted to make faces at her, but did not; for he did not admire the look of the birch rod under her arm.

And she looked at the children one by one, and seemed very much pleased with them, though she never asked then one question about how they were behaving; and then began giving them all sorts of nice sea-things—sea-cakes, sea-apples, sea-oranges, sea-bulls-eyes, sea-toffee; and to the very best of all she gave sea-ices, made out of sea-cows' cream, which never melt under water.

And, if you don't quite believe me, then just think—What is more cheap and plentiful than sea-rock? Then, why should there not be sea-toffee as well? And anyone can find sea-lemons (ready quartered, too) if they will look for them at low tide; and sea-grapes, too, sometimes, hanging in bunches; and, if you will go to Nice, you will find the fish-market full of sea-fruit, which they call, "frutta di mare," though, I suppose, they call them "fruits de mer" now out of compliment to that most successful, and therefore most immaculate, potentate, who is seemingly desirous of inheriting the blessing pronounced on those who remove their neighbours' landmark. And, perhaps, that is the very reason why the place is called Nice, because there are so many nice things in the sea there—at least, if it is not, it ought to be.

Now, little Tom watched all these sweet things given away till his mouth watered, and his eyes grew as round as an owl's. For he hoped that his turn would 181