Charles Edward Carryl

“ The poor Goblin, who had turned sea-green in color, was frantically waving his hands to and fro, as if motioning for the beach to get out of the way; and Davy watched his approach with the greatest anxiety. Meanwhile the animals had mounted on four sand-hills, and were solemnly looking on, while Robinson, who seemed to have run out of tooth-powder, was hurriedly loading his gun with sand. The next moment the clock struck the beach with great force, and, turning completely over on the sand, buried the Goblin beneath it. ”

“ If the roads are wet and muddy, we remain at home and study.
⁠We retire at eleven,
⁠And we rise again at seven;
And I wish to call attention, as I close,
⁠To the fact that all the scholars
⁠Are correct about their collars,
And particular in turning out their toes.
Here Robinson called out, in a loud voice, “First class in arithmetic!” but the animals sat perfectly motionless, sedately staring at him.
“Oh! by the way,” said Robinson, confidentially to Davy, “this is the first class in arithmetic. That’s the reason they didn’t move, you see. ”

“ His animal companions, however, seemed to be greatly alarmed whenever he prepared to fire; and, scampering off, hid behind the little hills of sand until the gun was discharged, when they would return, and, after solemnly watching their master reload his piece, follow him along the beach as before. This was all so ridiculous that Davy had great difficulty in keeping a serious expression on his face as he walked up to Robinson and handed him the Hole-keeper’s letter. Robinson looked at him suspiciously as he took it, and the animals eyed him with evident distrust. ”