CHAPTER IX
The Water-Lily
"Don't you think we shall be able to let the children out soon?" asked the reed-warbler.
"Certainly not!" said his wife. "There can be no question of the little dears standing on their legs for quite a month yet."
"They can stand on their legs as it is," said he, "for they nearly trample one another to death when I come along with a silly fly. I tell you, it's getting a bit difficult to provide food for everybody. There are such an awful lot of us after it now. There are children all over the neighbourhood and they are all crying out for food."
"Are you beginning to see the truth of what I said, madam?" asked the eel, sticking his head out of the mud.
"Hold your tongue and mind your own business, you ugly fish," said Mrs. Reed-Warbler.