A CEMENT WORKER 
123 
man’s entire satisfaction, work is begun on the 
walls. These are formed of grasses, leaves, and 
twigs, plentifully glued and cemented together 
to form a circular shape, with the central part 
hollowed like a muff. At one side is a nice round 
door; just opposite this is another opening not so 
large, which we may term a window, though Mr. 
Stickleback and his various fair guests always 
come out at it. Imagine continually entering 
your house at the door and coming out the win¬ 
dow! The reason why in stickleback wherefores 
is due perhaps to their ingrained policy, 4 On¬ 
ward, forever onward! ’ They cannot waste time 
in turning about and retracing their path! 
44 Mr. Stickleback is not very particular about 
the outside appearance of his walls. They are, in 
truth, quite shaggy, but inside only the finest 
and softest grasses are used and the cement is 
4 troweled ’ to the smoothest possible surface. 
There must be nothing to hurt the delicate bodies 
of the young Sticklebacks. Fortunately the eggs 
hatch without being kept warm! Father Stickle¬ 
back, energetic as he is, could never sit on them 
with equanimity. Besides there is another ardu- * 
ous duty to be performed! Because of their un¬ 
derwater surroundings, the eggs must be aerated 
to supply sufficient oxygen, and Father Stickle¬ 
back is obliged to turn himself into an animated 
electrical fan. For ten days and nights he vigor- 
