Charles Edward Carryl

“ Davy was deeply affected by this sad incident, and, though he had never really liked the Hole-keeper, he could hardly keep back his tears as he wrapped up the lump in the paper shirt and laid it carefully on the big book. In fact, he was so disturbed in his mind that he was on the point of going away without marking the package, when, looking over his shoulder, he suddenly caught sight of the Cockalorum standing close beside him, carefully holding an inkstand, with a pen in it, in one of his claws.
“Oh! thank you very much,” said Davy, taking the pen and dipping it in the ink. ”

“ All this, however, had not at all disturbed his complacent conceit; he was, if anything, more pompous than ever.
“How did you get here?” asked Davy, in astonishment.
“I’m banished,” said the Hole-keeper, cheerfully. “That’s better than being boiled, any day. Did you give Robinson my letter?”
“Yes, I did,” said Davy, as they walked along the beach together; “but I got it very wet coming here.”
“That was quite right,” said the Hole-keeper. “There’s nothing so tiresome as a dry letter. Well, I suppose Robinson is expecting me by this time, isn’t he?”
“I don’t know, I’m sure,” said Davy. ”

“ Some of ’em have lights on ’em, and them are particularly nice and crisp.”
“Is it nice being a Whale?” said Davy, who was anxious to change the subject.
“Famous!” said the Whale, with an affable roar. “Great fun, I assure you! We have fish-balls every night, you know.”
“Fish-balls at night!” exclaimed Davy. “Why, we always have ours for breakfast.”
“Nonsense!” thundered the Whale, with a laugh that made the beach quake; “I don’t mean anything to eat. I mean dancing parties.”
“And do you dance?” said Davy, thinking that if he did it must be a very extraordinary performance. ”