“‘That’s a pity, because your mother was decent to the point of folly, while your father never did a bit for any one but himself,’ ses she.
“‘And what may your business be with me this blessed night?’ ses he.
“‘I just want to amuse myself at your expense,’ ses she.
“‘And why at all?’ ses he.
“‘Well, just because you are the most respected man in the land, and have only a good word for every one, and because you have always done the right thing and lived an exemplary life. In this world most things go by contrary. The good must suffer so that the bad may have a chance of enjoying themselves. And as the good are always worrying about the bad, and as the bad never bother their heads about the good, and as everything is topsy turvy, ’tis only right and consistent that you should be duly punished for your virtues, and made to know what sorrow means in its widest sense,’ ses she.
“‘What are you going to do to me?’ ses he.
“‘I’m going to turn you into a fish,’ ses she.
“‘What kind of a fish? A sprat or a mackerel maybe?’ ses he.
“‘Nothing so common,’ ses she.
“‘What, then?’ ses he.