A Day with the Sea Urchins. 11

 

_ you shall hear, it was quite by chance that I came to
know all about them.

Strolling down to the Bay of Delight early one
summer morning, while the trails of honeysuckle and
blackberry in the hedges were still wet with dew, I
stretched myself on the short turf of the low cliff above
the cave, and whilst I lay dreamily watching the sparks
of sunlight creeping over the sea, I became aware of
sweet singing or chanting, which it seemed to me floated
up out of the cave itself; but how could this be? I
asked myself, for it was high tide, and I knew the cave
was half full of water. I listened a little longer, and
then crept to the edge of the cliff and looked over.
All was clear water below me, but the singing grew
more distinct, so I noiselessly clambered down a little
way, so that I could peep into the cave. And then a
strange scene met my eyes, for perched about on various
projections of the rocks, just above high-water mark,
were six of the prettiest and tiniest boys and girls you
can imagine. They were combing their. wavy yellow
hair with coral combs, and chattering to each other as
fast as their little tongues could go.

Three of them were girls, and three were boys, and
listening to their talk from my hiding-place, where I lay
as still as a mouse, I discovered that the names of the
girls were Pearl, Topaz, and Amethyst; and those of
the boys, Jasper, Emerald, and Ruby. They spoke in