“Yes, very. He wants polishing, though.”
“You could do that for yourself, you know. Shall we change?”
“I don’t mind. You’ll find her rather silly.”
“That’s nothing. The boy’s too sensible for me.”
He dived, and rose at Alice’s feet. She shrieked with terror. The fairy floated away like a water-lily towards Richard. “What a lovely creature!” thought he; but hearing Alice shriek again, he said,
“Don’t leave Alice; she’s frightened at that queer creature.—I don’t think there’s any harm in him, though, Alice.”
“Oh, no! He won’t hurt her,” said Peaseblossom. “I’m tired of her. He’s going to take her to the court, and I will take you.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“But you must. You can’t go home again. You don’t know the way.”
“Richard! Richard!” cried Alice, in an agony.
Richard sprang from his boat, and was by her side in a moment.
“He pinched me,” cried Alice.
Richard hit the goblin a terrible blow on the head; but it took no more effect upon him than if his head had been a round ball of india-rubber. He gave Richard a furious look, however, and bawling out, “You’ll repent that, Dick!” vanished under the water.
“Come along, Richard; make haste; he will murder you,” cried the fairy.
“It is all your fault,” said Richard. “I won’t leave Alice.”