40 Tula Oolah.

There were many seals on that coast, who used
to come up in the early morning and sit round
sociably together, sunning themselves, and lazily
rubbing their sides against the rocks. Whether
it was because they had got used to seeing her, or
because they thought Celia must somehow belong
to them on account of her name, I don’t know,
but they certainly were not afraid of her, but would
come quite near, and sometimes even allow her
to stroke their wet glossy backs.

There was one seal in particular, with whom
she became quite intimate. She often brought
him bits of her breakfast, going without herself,
poor little thing, in order to do so. Of course
the seal did not know that, but he certainly
seemed to be very fond of her, and to appreci-
ate her kindness, looking at her with love and
gratitude, in his great soft eyes. After a while
he seemed to feel that it was not right for him
to be the one to receive presents, and to give
nothing in return, so after this, every time that
Celia appeared he would dive into the deep water,
and come to her proudly bearing a gift. And