AN ARTFUL LITTLE DIVER 253 
course, it cannot depart by way of the door, as the 
mother does. For the latter reason, the moment 
she comes out, Madam Argyroneta rises to the 
surface: she must have air to breathe. 
“ Once upon a time, a certain Argyroneta 
housewife had waited in vain for something to get 
entangled in the clever nets she had strung across 
her little fishing-pool; her larder was empty and 
her babies clamoring for food. Something had 
to be done, and at this juncture the voices of some 
little crab children were heard outside, close to 
the walls of the dome. 
“ 4 I do wonder what this soft, silken shape is? ’ 
one of them was saying. 4 It is so fresh and 
dainty. What a lovely blanket it would make! 
I wish we could find a shell big enough to house 
it.’ 
“At once Madam Argyroneta was out through 
her lowly door and appearing bobbing and smil¬ 
ing, albeit a bit breathless, before the surprised 
and half-frightened young crabs. 4 1 heard you 
admiring the walls of my house, my dears/ she 
said. 4 It is much lovelier inside. Won’t you 
come in and look around, and see my babies? I 
have a score or more. I think, too, that I can 
offer you some delicious oyster crullers. I dare 
say you are hungry at this hour in the morning; 
most young sea folks are.’ 
“ Altogether the offer was too kind to be re- 
