Water baby Tom (2)

Water baby Tom (2)

Soon they came up with a poor Irishwoman, trudging along with a bundle at her back.
She had neither shoes nor stockings, and limped along as if she were tired and footsore. 



Mr. Grimes called out to her.
" This is a hard road. Will you up and ride behind me ? "

But she answered quietly ; " No thank you, I'd sooner walk with your little lad here. "

So she walked beside Tom and talked to him and asked him where he lived. and what he knew, and all about himself, till Tom thought he had never met such a pleasant-spoken woman.

Then he asked her where she lived ; and she said far away by the sea.
And Tom asked her about the sea ;  and she told him how it rolled and roared over the rocks in winter nights, and lay still in the bright summer days, for the children to bathe and play in it ; and many a story more, till Tom longed to go and see the sea, and bathe in it likewise.  

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