And come with us to paddle,
Paddle gaily in the sea.
[Old Clothes.]
THE sunniest of days, the clearest and loveliest of blue seas, and I, a little lobster, young, proud, and as lively as a cricket—that is what people say; but I can’t help thinking “as lively as a shrimp” would sound better.
I always wear a lovely suit of armour, like those old warriors you read about. It is strong and firm and well jointed, so that I can move ever so fast—of course not so fast as that silly little fish.
He has armour too, he says, but wears it inside. That seems queer to me; I can’t quite believe it.
But I want to tell you what a queer thing happened to mine not long ago. It grew small and shabby, like your last year’s dress; that is why I have called this story “Old Clothes.”
Listen. I lived a very happy life out at sea for some time, till one day I fell into a strange basket-box thing.