THE crabs' tea-party. 149 



IX. 



At a quarter to five, 't would have done your heart good 

 To see Mistress Crab arranging the food. 

 There were halibut steaks, 



And Irish moss pies, 

 And fresh-opened oysters, 

 And dainty squid's eyes. 

 With sea-lettuce for salad, and eel-grass for greens. 

 And toasted sea-biscuits, and salted sea-beans. 



X. 



The soup was of fish-fins well seasoned with kelp, 

 With slices of green sea=cucumber to help. 

 The maids laid the dishes 



Of blue mussel-shell, 

 And the fair mistress smiled 

 And said, " All is well." 

 Then she hurried away to welcome the guests. 

 And to bid them be free to make their requests. 



XI. 



Then old Mr. Crab shook them each by the toe, — 

 For that is polite in Crab country, you know, — 

 And said he was pleased 



In this simple way 

 To impart some of the pleasure 

 Which he felt that day. 

 Then he offered his arm to Miss Flat Razor-shell, 

 Who, of all the fair guests, was voted the belle. 



